Fresh off the back of winning his fourth European Tour title at last month’s Volvo China Open we caught up with French star Alexander Levy as he looks to take some momentum into the busy summer period. Levy is the highest-ranked French player in the world, having moved up to 74th from 102nd with victory in Beijing and he now has his sights set on a Ryder Cup debut on home soil next year, with qualification to make it onto Thomas Bjorn’s team beginning at the D+D Real Czech Masters in August.
WWG: Congratulations on another win Alex, what was the key to the victory in China?
Alex Levy: I just played my game and stuck to my plan. I was in a good position the week before at the Shenzhen International and I think what happened there helped me win, for sure. You need to go step by step, and that’s what I did. I didn’t think about winning the tournament – it was more about how to put myself into a position to win the tournament. That’s a good way to work – and it did.
WWG: You’re now the top-ranked French player and the next Ryder Cup is in Paris next September. How much has that come into your thoughts after this win?
Alex Levy: I am not thinking about The Ryder Cup as such, but I’m sure it is a kind of goal for me. I really want to be part of the team. I think the Albatros course at Le Golf National is a really fine course, one of the best we have in Europe. It’s a course that demands that you are in good shape, especially with regards to your long game. You have to hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens.
WWG: You recently joined forces with Pete Cowen – was that with one eye on The Ryder Cup, given that he coaches many of the leading players?
Alex Levy: Not really. That decision was all about building my career, which goes beyond the 2018 Ryder Cup. It is a real choice and The Ryder Cup didn’t really influence my decision.
WWG: Do you think that The Ryder Cup being in France for the first time will help grow the game in the country?
Alex Levy: Yes I think so, and if there is a French player in the team it will make the event far more popular and beneficial for French Golf. To host The Ryder Cup here at Le Golf National is a good opportunity to develop and incentivise people to play the game.
WWG: The French players have a reputation for their camaraderie and they are always quick to perform a champagne celebration when one of their countrymen wins a tournament. Why do you think that is?
Alex Levy: All sports in France seem to be more successful with team events rather than with individuals. Even at the Olympic games, which are mostly based on individual events, there is this dimension of camaraderie among the French sportsmen and sportswomen.
As for the champagne, I think it is good manners for us to celebrate and to push the French winners to the top – and also to motivate every single man on his own. It is a kind of a “French trademark” and it is quite effective. It works well for us French players!
