2026 FedEx Open de France Preview: Fleetwood, Åberg, and Hovland Headline a Star-Studded Return to Le Golf National

The DP World Tour heads to the outskirts of Paris this week for the 2026 FedEx Open de France, and the stakes could not be higher as Continental Europe’s oldest national open returns to its spiritual home. Following a one-year detour to Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche in 2025 while renovations were completed, the tournament is back at the magnificent Albatros Course at Le Golf National.[3][4]

The 144-player field competing for the $3.25 million purse is one of the heaviest assembled on the DP World Tour this season. The entry list is headlined by a quartet of European Ryder Cup stars: World No. 4 Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, and Ludvig Åberg.[2][5]

"I'm really looking forward to teeing it up again at the FedEx Open de France," said Victor Perez, one of several local favorites carrying the weight of the home crowd. "I have a lot of fond memories playing Le Golf National, and I have no doubt we're in for another great week."[4]

The man to beat, however, is undeniably Fleetwood. The Englishman opened as the 8/1 betting favorite, narrowly edging out Åberg at +850 and Fitzpatrick at +900. Fleetwood's history at Le Golf National is nothing short of spectacular, making him the ultimate course horse.[1][3]

He claimed the Open de France title here in 2017 at 12-under par, closing with a 66 to defeat Peter Uihlein by a single stroke. A year later, he became a Ryder Cup legend on this very layout, winning four points from five available. After a long absence, he returned to the track for the 2024 Olympics, securing a silver medal.[1][3]

"He seemingly feels nothing but good vibes when he is at Le Golf National," noted Betfair's Andy Swales, pointing to Fleetwood's undeniable comfort on the demanding Parisian layout.[1]

Defending champion Michael Kim is also back in the field, looking to recreate the magic of his 2025 victory. The 33-year-old American claimed a thrilling one-shot win at Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche last year, holing a clutch birdie putt on the 72nd hole to finish at 16-under par, edging out Jeong Weon Ko and Elvis Smylie.[3][4]

That victory marked Kim's first worldwide win in over seven years—dating back to the 2018 John Deere Classic—and made him the first American to win France's national open since Barry Jaeckel in 1972.[4]

Beyond the marquee names, the tournament carries massive implications for the Race to Dubai and the hunt for 2027 PGA Tour cards. Eugenio Chacarra arrives in France sitting third on the Race to Dubai standings, buoyed by back-to-back victories at the KLM Open and the Italian Open earlier this year.[2]

Chacarra has been a ball-striking machine, ranking seventh on the DP World Tour in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green and 13th in Strokes Gained: Approach. While he has never played Le Golf National competitively, his success on exposed, water-laden layouts makes him a dangerous dark horse at 25/1.[2]

Another player with high stakes is Kristoffer Reitan. The Norwegian broke through with his maiden DP World Tour title at the 2025 Soudal Open and followed it up with a victory at the Truist Championship on the PGA Tour in May. Reitan finished fifth in last year's Open de France and is hunting for a third DP World Tour crown.[2][4]

"I'm really looking forward to playing in my third FedEx Open de France and returning to such a great venue in Le Golf National," Reitan said. "I have some really nice memories from last year's event... Hopefully we can make this year one to remember too."[4]

The tournament will also feature a surprise debut from former Open champion Cam Smith. With his LIV Golf future uncertain, the Australian is making his third DP World Tour start outside of the majors this season.[4]

"I'm looking forward to teeing it up in France for the first time," said Smith, a six-time PGA Tour winner. "It's going to be a great test, and a really strong field. This event has so much history and I'm excited to be part of it."[4]

For the local fans, the spotlight will be squarely on the French contingent. Ugo Coussaud enters the week as the second-highest ranked Frenchman on the Race to Dubai, boasting three top-ten finishes this season. He is joined by Romain Langasque, Frederic Lacroix, Antoine Rozner, and Julien Guerrier.[4]

"It always means a lot to play in front of family and friends, especially in a tournament with such history," Coussaud said. "It has been a great event to be part of in the past, and I look forward to another amazing experience."[4]

The Albatros Course itself will play a starring role. Known as a brutal risk-reward layout, there is no such thing as an easy birdie at Le Golf National. The closing stretch is notorious, with three of the final four holes playing around the same massive water hazard.[2]

Whoever walks away with the $3.25 million prize pool on Sunday will have to display nerves of steel. While Fleetwood’s history at Le Golf National makes him the undeniable favorite, the sheer ball-striking form of Chacarra makes him the value pick to navigate the watery closing stretch and hoist the trophy.[2][5]