Brilliant Thongchai romps to French Open title

Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines - Rory McIlroy had to settle for third place as Thongchai Jaidee romped to a four-shot victory in the 100th French Open at Golf National on Sunday.

Thailand's Thongchai went into final round with a two-stroke lead and a fantastic three-under-par 68 helped him easily hold off the chasing pack on 11 under par.

The 46-year-old went 39 holes without a bogey on the challenging Albatros course, until he opted for safety on the 72nd hole with the title already all but assured.

A brace of birdies on each nine were enough for the world number 57 to seal his eighth European Tour title, with what was amazingly his first top-10 finish of the season.