Rory McIlroy said on Wednesday (29th June) that he felt "confident" ahead of the Open de France which begins in Paris on Thursday (30th June).

SOUNDBITE: (English) Rory McIlroy (Q: You're back at the Open de France after a little break?)

"Yeah it has been a few years since I have been back here. My last experience here was good, I missed the playoff by one and I played well and it was my last event before going into the Open Championship at St. Andrews and that didn't work out too badly. I had a chance to win there. I think it's good, it's nice not to have to travel as well, to be able to come to France and stay in Europe for the next few weeks and get myself ready for the Open (Championship) in a few weeks time and I guess with it being the 100th anniversary of this tournament, you know, it's quite a special event this one and I wanted to show my support."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Rory McIlroy (Q: How does your experience of playing well here help going into this tournament?)

"It should help, I remember the golf course pretty well, but it is a few years since I have been here, so I will have to re-familiarise myself with it, but I feel confident. It is a good golf course, you have to hit the ball well, you have to put it on the fairway and fairways and greens is very important around here and I feel that is one of the strengths of my game. You know if I can rely on that this week I feel like I will have a good chance."