SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France – Local favorite Thomas Levet shot a 1-under 70 in windy conditions to win the French Open, beating Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark and Mark Foster of England by a stroke.
Levet made four birdies and three bogeys Sunday for a 7-under total of 277 to capture his sixth career title.
“It was great, the atmosphere today,” Levet said. “If you have ever been to a Ryder Cup, that’s what it is like.”
Martin Kaymer was three strokes back in fourth after a closing 73. The PGA Championship winner will overtake U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy for No. 3 when the world rankings are published Monday.
Levet, the 2002 British Open runner-up, was tied with Olesen until the last hole. Levet hit an approach that landed 14 feet from the pin on the water-guarded green, while Olesen cleared the lake but failed to reach the green with his second shot.
Levet missed his birdie putt, giving the Dane the chance to force a playoff. Olesen’s chip landed about 3 feet from the cup, but he failed to convert a short par putt. Foster was also in position to force a playoff but his 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th was short.
