Student Series

Students face tough test at Le Golf National

The R&A

24 Oct 22

3 mins

Players in The R&A Student Series – France now have an appreciation of just how hard Le Golf National played for the 2018 Ryder Cup, and why it’s held 28 French Opens since 1991.

The leading male and female players at the end of the 54-hole event will have used all their skills to pass the difficult exam that is Le Golf National. That much was obvious when only one player managed to best the Albatros layout on day one. Sweden’s Hugo Stark was the sole competitor to shoot under-par. Scotland’s Lorna McClymont, last year’s order of merit winner, came closest among the women but was still three shots north of the par of 72. Stark’s one-under-par opening round gives him a one-shot lead over a quartet of players that includes Halmstad teammates Bjorn Rosengren and Jesper Littorin, and Maynooth University students Eoin Murphy and Ryan Griffin. McClymont is one shot better than fellow University of Stirling competitor Ellie Docherty.

Different Le Golf National experiences

McClymont and Stark both have experience of the Ryder Cup venue, albeit not quite the same: Stark attended the 2018 Ryder Cup as a 15-year-old, while McClymont competed in this year’s World Amateur Team Championship over the course that sits just 20 miles from the Eiffel Tower. “It’s fun playing this course because I’ve got a lot of memories when I was here last time from watching Rory McIlroy and everyone else play,” Stark said. “It’s hard to believe I’m playing the same course.”

Course management is key

Staying out of the rough was the key to the 19-year-old’s under par round. “My course management was good today,” he said. “I hit a lot of fairways, about 10 of the 14, and when I missed I was in the semi-rough not the deep stuff. It’s hard to play from there. I just tried to keep it in play, and then hit greens. I did that pretty well.” He did, especially considering the conditions. Local weather forecast said wind strength around the Ryder Cup course would be about 11 mph, with gusts of 28 mph. The latter number seemed closer to the norm for most of the first round. Throw in a chilly morning wind, and Le Golf National was always going to win the battle with Europe’s best student golfers. Just ask Murphy. “It’s a good test, a proper ball striker’s golf course. There’s nowhere to hide, especially in the wind. You just have to grit your teeth and hit good shots. I did that well today.”

Lorna McClymont leads the women's event by one shot.

Great opportunity

Like Stark, Murphy can’t believe he’s following in the footsteps of the world’s best. “To think the Ryder Cup was here, and the French Open a few weeks ago is amazing. That’s what this series is brilliant for: we have a great opportunity through the Tour Series to play great golf courses you wouldn’t get to play otherwise – Le Golf National, Troia, St Andrews and the like – on a competitive basis.” Griffin has experience of winning over hard courses, he was joint winner with teammate Jordan Boles of The R&A Student Tour Series Portugal in February over Troia Golf Resort, one of Europe’s hardest courses.

Looking to go two for two

McClymont is looking for her second straight win after triumphing in the Stirling International at Montrose last month. The Milngavie Golf Club member smashed the Montrose course record on that occasion with a first round 13-under-par 60. There was no chance of that score at Le Golf National. McClymont, who won three of five of the 2021/22 Student Tour Series events, was happy with her opening three-over-par 75.

The most nerve wracking course

The 22-year-old Dumbarton native called on all the knowledge she gained from finishing 28th in the World Amateur Team Championship to take the first round lead. “It’s maybe the most nerve-wracking course I’ve ever played,” McClymont said. “Especially over those last four holes in that wind. It played harder today than it did in August. The rough is harder to play out of. You have to have a high acceptance of not making par. If you miss a fairway then you know you’re struggling. It’s a very unpredictable golf course, and I have experience. Imagine what it’s like for novices.” The field gets a breather in round two over the relatively easier Aigle Course before fighting it out over The Ryder Cup Albatros layout in the final round.