Event of the Day: Open de France Day 2
Our event of the day is second round of play at the HNA Open de France at Le Golf National in Versailles. This European Tour stop has commanded a strong field this year, in large part because it is being held on the course that will host the Ryder Cup in September. Among those in the field vying for a piece of the $7,000,000 purse are Sergio García, Ian Poulter, Rafa Cabrera-Bello and defending champion Tommy Fleetwood. European Team Captain Thomas Bjørn and American Justin Thomas are also in this competitive field of play.
Thomas, currently ranked number two in the world, is no doubt scouting the course ahead of the Ryder Cup but has stated he is here to win the tournament. After one round Thomas is sitting tied for seventh after shooting a one under par 70 on the day. Welshman Bradley Dredge put together a very strong round on Thursday and is leading the pack at four under par. Graeme McDowell continues his positive play of recent weeks and posted a three under par 68, good for second following round one. A fixture on the European Tour since 1972, the Open de France is being played at Le Golf National for the 26th time. It was an impressive display of world-class golf in the opening round. The tournament should really heat up heading into the weekend.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the MLB opener of a three game series in the Bronx between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. CC Sabathia will go to the mound for the Yanks while the Sox will put forth Eduardo Rodriquez. New York is currently a half game back from Boston in the AL East and hope to leapfrog them in the standings with a series win. In the AFL, the Western Bulldogs will clash with the Geelong Cats at the Etihad Stadium. There are also two intriguing contests in the National Rugby League taking place today. The Warriors will host the Sharks at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland and the Roosters travel to play the Storm at the Adelaide Oval. Super Rugby matchups include the Blues versus the Reds at Eden Park in Auckland and the Rebels against the Waratahs at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. In England, there are four Super League clashes today. The Warrington Wolves play the Salford Red Devils; St Helens will meet Wakefield Trinity; Hull Kingston Rovers come up against the Hudderfield Giants; and Hull FC do battle with the Widnes Vikings. The ATP World Tour Antalya Open enters its sixth day of matches in Turkey. On the WTA World Tour, it is Day 6 of the Nature Valley International at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne. In cricket, Ireland and India play their second T20 game north of Dublin at the Village in Malahide. Major League Soccer action is on at the TCF Bank Stadium as the Minnesota United FC welcome FC Dallas to Minneapolis. Elsewhere in golf, the second round of the PGA Tour Quicken Loans National is taking place at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by European Tour Golf