English rugby union’s leading international point scorer Jonny Wilkinson is backing France’s bid to host the 2018 Ryder Cup. Wilkinson who plays for French side Toulon has been on tremendous form scoring over 300 points in his first season and is already over the 200 point mark this campaign. The French are understandably big fans of their English superstar with Wilkinson recently being named personality of the year in a major French public vote ahead of French football legends Zinedine Zidane and Eric Cantona.
France’s admiration of Wilkinson is reciprocated with Wilkinson, a French speaker, very happy in a country where he feels increasingly at home. Now Wilkinson, set to face France in the upcoming Six Nations, is pledging his full support to France’s bid to host the 2018 Ryder Cup at proven championship course Golf National, Paris, current home of the Alstom Open de France.
Speaking of his French love affair, Wilkinson commented; “I feel part of a big movement here at Toulon and furthermore am honoured at the warmth of the reception I have received right across France. With the 2018 Ryder Cup set to take place on mainland Europe I am delighted to get behind France’s bid to host the Ryder Cup in 2018.”
The French bid has outlined twelve key areas which they have pledged will ensure the most successful Ryder Cup to date. These include the future growth of golf across Europe, France’s successful history of hosting major international sporting events and the nation’s backing for the event with public, commercial and governmental support. Furthermore with Golf National’s location adjacent to Paris and the Chateau de Versailles would deliver an unrivalled cultural experience for all.
Wilkinson, convinced that hosting the Ryder Cup in France would be the ideal choice for the fans, the players and the future growth of golf, commented; “As a professional rugby player I have firsthand experience of France’s proven ability at staging international sporting events for players and the fans. I would of course have even fonder memories had we beaten South Africa in the 2007 Rugby World Cup in Paris! I’ve been so busy I haven’t had much time to play the amazing courses on offer in France and I’ve heard on good authority that Golf National is at the very top with a design that should make for a compelling Ryder Cup. I’m sure a Ryder Cup in France would inspire future generations of golfers right across Europe.”
For more information please visit www.rydercup2018france.com