Tom Vaillant, the great promise of French golf

In two weeks, between the Spanish Open and the Dunhill Links Championship, Tom Vaillant went from 112th to 88th in the European rankings, thereby securing his card on the DP World Tour for 2025. “I have the satisfaction and relief of being able to already establish my calendar for next year, he said Thursday. The objective was to be as efficient as possible throughout the year. Since the beginning of September, I have been producing a very good level of play. I am trying to continue this momentum.” He started his French Open rather well with a card of 71 (-1) on Thursday. “It was a good first round. I’m trying to ride the wave of my current form.»

Indeed, the golfer from Cannes-Mougins was not very far from winning with five holes remaining, last week in Scotland. And casually, on the legendary Saint-Andrews course, he finished tied with Jon Rahm and ahead of stars like Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka.When I looked at the leaderboard, it was pretty crazy. It’s pleasant but I have far too much humility to compare myself to them. I’m playing well but these guys have been at the top for years. In any case, this proves that over a good week, if I produce a good level of play, I can be at the level of these players.. Afterwards you have to produce good golf throughout the year“, he emphasizes.

The Riviera, who will celebrate his 23rd birthday on December 14, can dream of a top 70 in the Race which would allow him to compete in Abu Dhabi in the first of the two Play-Off tournaments of the European Tour (November 7-10). 17th at the British Masters on September 1, 18th at the Spanish Open, the protégé of Jean-François Lucquin achieved a very good 7th place in Scotland, his best result on the DP World tour with his 7th place, already, in Japan at the end of April at the ISPS Handa Championship.

Also readFrench Open: discovering Frédéric Lacroix and David Ravetto, titles for the first time on the European circuit

I want it to go faster because I’m a competitor.

Tom Vaillant

The Albatross? A route that he knows like the back of his hand. Two years ago, when invited as an amateur player, he even rubbed shoulders with the top of the leaderboard for three rounds. In the top 10 after 54 holes, he cracked on Sunday with a 77 (+6) and a final 45th place… “I know the route by heart but not in this configurationhe tempers. I played it a lot when I competed in the world amateur championships two years ago. It was in a configuration close to that of the French Open. This time it is very different. It surely remains the biggest test of the year. You should make few mistakes.»

After his first French Open, everything went very quickly for the great blue hope. After only one year spent on the challenge tour (second division), he is already confirmed in the first European division: “ I don’t want to waste time, he continues. The best were very quickly at the top. For my part, I try to do things well, at my own pace. I want it to go faster because I’m a competitor.” A competitor who defines himself as a player “who sticks to a course, who demonstrates when it is good, but also when it is less good“. Hoping that he will keep the best in the three remaining rounds…