- A 60-man field – including eight of the world's top 10 players – will compete for gold
- Le Golf National has hosted 28 French Opens as well as the 2018 Ryder Cup
- Recommended bets:
- Jon Rahm to win
- Collin Morikawa to win and each-way
- Alex Noren to win and each-way

The first of the two Olympic golf competitions begins in Paris on Thursday as some of the best players in the men's game battle it out for gold at Le Golf National.

The two previous modern Olympic golf tournaments took place on courses which would have been new to the vast majority of punters and players alike but Le Golf National is the exception having hosted the French Open on 29 occasions since opening in 1990.

The Paris venue, which was also the scene of Europe's 2018 Ryder Cup win, is a testing, water-laden layout which tends to put an emphasis on tee-to-green precision.

The betting market is dominated by two Americans. World number one Scottie Scheffler is 4/1 with LiveScore Bet while Xander Schauffele, who won the Open when last in action, is 11/2. Rory McIlroy is next in the betting at 8/1 for Team Ireland.

Rahm looks value to upstage US heavyweights

The American duo are likely to take plenty of beating but both are making their competitive debuts at Le Golf National and that could hand the advantage to Jon Rahm, who has played this course on more than one occasion.

Rahm finished 10th in the 2017 French Open, then fifth in 2018 before taking down Tiger Woods in Sunday singles at the Ryder Cup the same year, and he returns to Le Golf National in excellent form.

The Spaniard has enjoyed a fine few weeks, finishing third at LIV Nashville, 10th at LIV Andalucia and seventh at the Open before making his LIV Golf breakthrough in the United Kingdom event on Sunday.  

Back Jon Rahm to win at 9/1 with LiveScore Bet

Morikawa should enjoy Parisian precision test

The US are the only nation with four representatives in the men's competition and one member of their quartet, Collin Morikawa, looks made for the demands of Le Golf National.

Morikawa's game is built on tee-to-green precision and he has been wonderfully consistent over the last few months, finishing no worse than 16th in his last 10 events as an individual.

The 27-year-old finished fourth behind compatriot Schauffele at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and he should have his sights set on a medal this time around.

Back Collin Morikawa to win and each-way at 12/1 with LiveScore Bet

Course specialist Noren will be eyeing Olympic medal

The Olympic field lacks depth and this looks a big opportunity for Alex Noren to cash in on a solid run of results.

Noren finished 10th at the Scottish Open then 13th at the Open from a tricky draw, taking his tally to 11 top-25 finishes from 14 events since March, and the Swede has more experience of Le Golf National than just about anyone else in the field.

The veteran won the 2018 French Open at this venue and was part of the European Ryder Cup team the same year, winning two of his three matches.

Back Alex Noren to win and each-way at 28/1 with LiveScore Bet