But after a three-year absence, the 104th champion will be crowned this week at the Le Golf National course about an hour south west of Paris.

It will be a triumphant return for a tournament with a proud history that has been part of the DP World Tour since its inception in 1972.

With an honour roll including some of the game’s greatest champions, the tournament may not be held in as high regard as it once was but make no mistake, it is a trophy every golfer should want their name on.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Nicolas Colsaerts surprised many – possibly even including himself – with his win at the Le Golf National layout in 2019.

That’s not because Colsaerts isn’t a world class player. He is. But the nature of the course and the Belgian’s game don’t seem a natural fit.

Colsaerts is flamboyant and powerful whereas Le Golf National tends to favour the more conservative tactician, his previous best of T11 in 14 starts an indication of that fact.

RIGHT: Former Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts took home the trophy the last time this event was played in 2019. PHOTO: Andrew Redington/Getty Images.

However, after taking a three shot lead into the final day he held on to win by a shot despite some early wobbles and his third European Tour victory – seven years after his second – might have been the sweetest of all.

COURSE: France is home to some amazing Golden Age golf, the likes of Morfontaine and Chantilly regarded as some of the finest design in the world.

Le Golf National doesn’t sit among those classics of the game, but the Robert van Hagge layout is a stern test of the modern professional and always produces exciting competition.

Narrow from the tee and with water in play on several holes the course proved too much for the visiting American powerhouse team at the 2018 Ryder Cup as they suffered an undignified 17½-10½ defeat.

The Albatross course is the tournament layout at Le Golf National and it was purpose built to test the professionals each year at this very event.

Opened in 1990, it looks like it might be more at home in Florida than France with its multiple water hazards and blinding white bunkers though it is a familiar landscape for the modern international golfer.

Only twice since 1991 has the event been played anywhere else which means many in the field will be in comfortable surrounds, so to speak, when play gets underway Thursday.

Patrick Reed is back at Le Golf National where he created some headlines following the 2018 Ryder Cup. PHOTO: Alex Goodlett/LIV Golf via Getty Images.

Ten of the holes at Le Golf National feature water including the 18th where a good drive is required if the second is to be played without apprehension.

As with many courses of this nature, the possibility of a late two shot swing means few leads are safe and tension is all but guaranteed until the moment the final putt is holed.

Scoring tends to be on the conservative side here with four rounds of three-under-par 69 enough to hoist the trophy most years since the tournament was first played at this venue.

PRIZEMONEY: EUR3,000,000

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PLAYERS TO WATCH: One name stands out in this field above all others though not only for his golf ability.

Patrick Reed makes his second DP World Tour start for the year after also playing at Wentworth and, as it does everywhere he goes, controversy will follow the American.

Reed was part of the losing US team at the Ryder Cup four years ago and created a storm when he intimated playing partner Tiger Woods had apologised to him after they lost both their matches.

He is also one of several PGA Tour players to have joined Greg Norman’s LIV Golf Tour.

However, like him or not Reed is a gifted golfer and there is no reason he can’t be in the mix come Sunday in France.

His final round of nine-under at Wentworth vaulted him to a share of fifth position and while less than his best in the 54 hole event in Chicago it would be no surprise to see him at the pointy end of the leaderboard come Sunday.

RIGHT: Jason Scrivener is playing some of the most consistent golf of his career as he continues to chase a first DP World Tour win. PHOTO: Jan Kruger/Getty Images.

Last week’s winner Robert MacIntyre makes his debut in the tournament and while backing up after such an emotional victory would be difficult it is not beyond him.

He played some inspired golf in Italy and if fatigue isn’t an issue, he might find himself with a chance come Sunday.

More likely, though, might be Frenchman Victor Perez who finished just one shot out of the play-off last week.

He will have enormous home support and while he has not finished in the top-10 here in three previous starts he is a much more polished player in 2022 than the last time the Tour visited in 2019.

A winner at the Dutch Open earlier this year Perez is somewhat erratic but tends to post his good finishes in bunches making last week an ominous sign ahead of this week.

72-HOLE RECORD: 271 (-17, Retief Goosen, 1997)

18-HOLE RECORD (Le Golf National): 62 (-10, Edoardo Romero, 2005)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Kel Nagle (1961), Alan Murray (1962), Bruce Devlin (1963), David Graham (1970), Greg Norman (1980), Robert Allenby (1996)

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Scott Hend, Jason Scrivener, Maverick Antcliff and Zach Murray.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 503 9.30pm – 2.30am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 503 9.30pm – 12am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 9.30pm – 2am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 9.30pm – 2am)
*AEST, check local guides