European Tour Insider: Viva Havret at the French Open

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The Alstom Open de France is one of the longest-running golf championships in Europe.

It dates back to 1906 and boasts such illustrious winners as Byron Nelson, Bobby Locke, Roberto de Vicenzo, Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman and Nick Faldo.

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Yet the same as every national open, it's particularly special when a home hero claims the prize. Jean-Francois Remesy did so back-to-back in 2004 and 2005, the latter in a thrilling duel with fellow countryman Jean Van de Velde.

Now the spotlight is firmly on the man who made a marvelous, yet unexpected, bid for glory at Pebble Beach.

Gregory Havret was disappointed at missing out on the U.S. Open title, having come "so close to heaven," as he said. But given his dip in form since beating Phil Mickelson to the Barclays Scottish Open crown in 2007 and the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles the following year, the home supporters are glad to see him back, and expect a good showing at Le Golf National in Paris.

Havret has finished fourth and fifth before. Another bold display is anticipated, despite the quality and depth of this year's tournament. He's had a week off, missing the event in Munich, and will trust he can keep his form alive.

GRAEME'S GUINNESS

Graeme McDowell side-stepped the French Open. It's usually an automatic entry on his schedule, but he's enjoying basking in the limelight of his first major victory.

Apparently, the gleaming silver U.S. Open trophy can accommodate four pints of Guinness.

Back home in Northern Ireland, it seems everyone has wanted to celebrate with him. He said his immediate future will contain plenty more of the black stuff, though he'll be back in action for the J.P. McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor before heading to Loch Lomond.

McDowell says he's "humbled" by the whole post-win acclaim, including a letter from Tony Jacklin, the last European to win the U.S. Open, 40 years earlier.

Having been with GMac after he won the Ballantine's Championship in South Korea in 2008, I hope this time he hasn't had his arm twisted to sing too much karaoke.

HORSEY AT THE GALLOP

David Horsey is the latest first-time winner on the European Tour. The former Walker Cup player has been expected to hit the heights; hence signing a deal with the ISM management group which looks after Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke, among others.

Horsey came close in Malaysia last year, as well as at the BMW Italian Open earlier this season. He looked an unlikely winner of the BMW International Open even into the back nine, but prevailed as others faltered, and felt his putt at the last would give him a winning chance.

Horsey admits this year has been "a bit of a struggle" and said he "wanted to relax" in Munich -- and it paid dividends. He enjoyed a wider profile at Wentworth last year when Phil Mickelson's wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Horsey wore a pink wristband, because his mother Anne was also fighting the disease.

By the way, David has a horse's head in his bag. Thankfully, no mafia threat, just a simple head-cover.

ROCKING AUSTRIAN

Horsey's preparations weren't the same as the previous first-time Tour winner.

It's not often you hear about golfers going to a music festival, let alone camping at the venue, but that's exactly what Martin Wiegele did prior to his win at the Saint-Omer Open.

The Austrian had won on the second-tier Challenge Tour, and then gave himself a week to enjoy the feeling. So he went to the Nova Rock festival in his home country, one of the biggest such events in Europe, with Green Day headlining.

"It seemed to relax me," he said "maybe it brought me away from too many thoughts, brought me back to Earth."

HASTY HAINES

A new name to conjure with is that of 20-year-old Matt Haines.

The Englishman has been professional for little more than a month, and he's recorded two top-five finishes -- fifth on the Challenge Tour in Scotland, and then an excellent second to Wiegele.

There should be no great surprise as he was one of the world's leading amateurs and featured in the Walker Cup last term. But still it's lightning progress in the pro ranks and he'll look to make the most of further invitations across the season.

Nick Dye is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not neccessarity represent the PGA TOUR.