World number three Rory McIlroy has confirmed that he will miss the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational this summer in favour of playing at the Open de France.
The PGA Tour's schedule has been changed this year in order to make room for the Rio 2016 Olympics, meaning that the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational has been moved forward by a month.
McIlroy, who won the tournament two years ago, has chosen to compete in Paris as he believes that Le Golf National is better suited to his preparations for The Open at Royal Troon.
"I feel that playing in the 100th Open de France at Le Golf National will be the best way to get ready for The Open, which is just two weeks after the French Open," McIlroy told the official European Tour website. "Le Golf National might not be a pure links course, but it is traditionally firm and fast and can throw up some tricky conditions during the French Open.
"It's a great test of golf and I think playing there, as well as staying in Europe, will offer the best conditions to prepare for The Open at Troon. It will also be great to be part of the centennial edition of the French Open, which is one of the best events on the European Tour. I am sure there will be a special atmosphere at the tournament this year, so I'm looking forward to hopefully being a very big part of it."
McIlroy missed last year's Bridgestone event after rupturing ankle ligaments.
