Leaney returns to Europe for French Open

BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2003 Open de France | Wrap | 25 Jun 2003

The French Open is being played a little later this year after moving from its normal date in early May. The event sees the return to Europe of some of the US Open stars with Stephen Leaney and Justin Rose lining up, along with many of the European regulars, as the European Tour starts a run of big money events.

Played at the Le Golf National course in Paris, the event will be defended by England’s Malcolm McKenzie, who produced somewhat of a surprise last year by winning on the European Tour for the first time in twenty years of trying, when he got home by a shot over Trevor Immelman.

The event carries significant prizemoney of 2.5 million euros ($A4.4 million) with a first prize of 416,000 euros.

The favourites will be Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Trever Immelman, Thomas Bjorn and Stephen Leaney. It will be interesting to see how Leaney backs up on his return to European golf following his exploits in Chicago.

Aside from Scott and Leaney, Stephen Leaney, Peter O’Malley, Jarrod Moseley, Richard Green, Peter Fowler, Nick O’Hern, Greg Turner, Terry Price and Stephen Scahill, will also fly the flag for Australasia.