Thongchai Jaidee claimed his eighth European Tour title as he cruised to a comfortable victory at the 100th Open de France. Francesco Molinari finished second for the third time in six years, while Rory McIlroy had to settle for third place.

The Thai was a picture of consistency over the weekend at Le Golf National, carding two consecutive rounds of 68 to get to 11 under, thanks to a run of 39 bogey-free holes, and claiming a four-shot triumph over Italy's Francesco Molinari, who carded the low round of the day with a 66. World Number Four Rory McIlroy finished at six under with a closing 71 and Brandon Stone, Alex Noren, Callum Shinkwin and Richard Sterne earned their places at the Open Championship by finishing in the top 12.

Thongchai‘s victory marks the first time that the European Tour has had seven Asian victories in the same season, with the 46 year old also becoming the oldest winner in Open de France history, beating 2010 champion Miguel Angel Jiménez by 58 days. He came into the final day with a two-shot lead and extended that to five on three occasions as the chasing pack failed to put him under any great pressure and a closing bogey on the toughest hole on Tour last year failed to take the gloss off a fine victory.