Tuesday 15 May 2018 15:14, UK
World No 1 Justin Thomas will get a sneak preview of the Ryder Cup course at Le Golf National next month after confirming he will play in the France Open.
And he will return to the European Tour for the first time since his first tournament as a professional for the event at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, southwest of Paris, from June 28-July 1.
The American will be up against Spain's current world No 4 Jon Rahm and England's defending France Open champion Tommy Fleetwood.
"I'm very excited to have the opportunity to go and play in a European Tour event," he said. "It is something I haven't done since my first start as a pro when I went to play the Dunhill Links.
"I'm not sure what to expect, having never played a Rolex Series event. I know they're fairly new to the European Tour, so it will be really fun to be a part of it.
"I'm sure the field is going to be tremendous, especially being a Ryder Cup venue. It will have a lot of talent."
After ending Johnson's 15-month run at the top of the rankings, Thomas insists he is determined to stay there for the long-term.
"It means a lot, but it's something I want to have for a long time,'' he added. "It's not something I just want to have once.
"To have it for a week and then be done with it... like DJ has and like Tiger Woods did and other guys who have had it for a long time, that's more of a goal of mine as opposed to just having it.''
The Ryder Cup is being held in France for the first time this year from September 28-30, live on Sky Sports.
