Ryo Hisatsune prefers to compete on the PGA Tour rather than defend his title at Golf National

For the first time since… 2001, the winner of the French Open does not put his title back on the line the following year. Victorious a year ago, the Japanese Ryo Hisatsune has in fact decided to favor the PGA Tour where he won a playing right via the ten spots of the 2023 Race.

L.V.

Surprise winner in only his 25th start on the DP World Tour of Cazoo Open de France 2023 au Golf National, Ryo Hisatsune once again takes everyone on the wrong foot by not defending his title this week at FedEx Open de France. This is the first time that such a scenario has occurred since the “package” of Colin Montgomerie in 2001, the French Open being scheduled that year at Lyon Golf Club has Villette d’Anthon (victory of Jose Maria Olazabal).

First Japanese to win in the oldest tournament in continental Europe (born in 1906), then third Japanese golfer to win on the European Tour (after Isao Aoki in 1983, and Hideki Matsuyama three times in 2016, 17 and 21), Hisatsune, rookie of the year 2023 on the DP World Tour, has nevertheless decided to favor his end of season in the United States, on the PGA Tour.

Only one top 10 so far on the PGA Tour in 2024

17th in the 2023 Race and last “qualified” to compete in 2024 on the US Circuit, Hisatsune, 22 years old, turned pro in 2020, took 84th place in the FedEx Cup. He is currently ranked 89th in FedEx Falls. In 23 tournaments played, he made the cut thirteen times but only achieved one top 10, a 3rd place in the Wyndham Championship on August 11, 2024.

Benefiting from an exemption on the European Tour until the end of 2025, the native of Okayama, who also played seven times on the DPWT in 2024 (without taking into account the Masters (cut), l’USPGA (18th) and The Open (cut)) including an 8th place in the ISPS Handa Australian Open on December 3, 2023, clearly intends to improve its FedEx ranking by departing this week in Utah from Black Desert Championship ($7.5 million endowment). A victory in one of the last six tournaments on the FedEx Falls calendar (until November 24) would open the doors to the Signature Events in 2025, eight meetings with a limited scope and richly endowed with a minimum of 20 million dollars.

We therefore understand a little better his choice to stay on the PGA Tour, he who missed the cut last week in Mississippi Sanderson Farms Championship. As such, it was his return to tournament after his 3rd place at the Wyndham Championship in early August…

Photo : Warren Little / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP