Koepka bids to join American icons with win in Paris, tied for lead after third round of FedEx Open de France

Koepka could become the ninth American to win at Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche, and just the fourth American winner of Open de France

Koepka acknowledges fans at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (Photo Matt Hooper)

2025 has, so far, been a year to forget for Brooks Koepka. He finished 31st in the LIV Golf League, recording just two top 10 finishes and scoring points in just 4 of the 13 individual events. It hasn't got any better during his mini European Tour, missing the cuts at the Amgen Irish Open and BMW PGA Championship. But this weekend, he has seemingly been inspired.

Maybe that inspiration is in the air, the history of legends past winning titles on this revered French golf course. Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche hosted the Trophee Lancome from 1970 to 2003, and it was one of the premier tournaments in the game outside the United States. Established by Mark McCormack of IMG, along with Pierre Menet of Lancome in 1970, the tournament attracted the world's best golfers for many years.

American legends including Arnold Palmer, Tommy Aaron, Johnny Miller, Billy Casper, Lee Trevino, Mark O'Meara won a combined 8 times around this golf course, so Brooks Koepka would be in fine company indeed if he triumphs near Paris this weekend.

In 1963 the course hosted the World Cup of Golf, and the USA team of Nicklaus and Palmer won by three shots from Spain. Jack Nicklaus won the International Trophy for best individual.

Byron Nelson and Walter Hagen also won the Open de France, both at La Boulie, just 20km from this week's venue.

Koepka and Min Woo Lee will take a share of the lead into the final round of the FedEx Open de France.

The American posted a six under 65 on day three and was joined by Australia’s Lee on 11 under par after his three under 68. The duo share a one-stroke lead over round two leader Marcus Armitage, of England, American Michael Kim and 2022 Open de France winner Guido Migliozzi, who share third on ten under.

Five-time Major winner Koepka mixed three birdies and one bogey in a front nine of 34, but burst into life on the back nine with some aggressive iron play and improved putting.

The 35-year-old parred the first three after the turn but it was the tricky par four 13th where the fireworks started. He converted from ten feet for his fourth birdie of the day, which proved to be the start of a rapid ascent up the leaderboard.

The former HotelPlanner Tour graduate made light work of what is statistically the hardest hole on the course with a birdie from four feet at the par four 14th, then added another trio of birdies from 14 feet, seven feet and three feet to make it five in a row and seven under for his round.

He missed the green on the par three 18th and subsequently gave a shot back, but signed for a 65 and a share of the lead. "I feel like my game has been trending in the right direction" said the 2023 PGA Champion. "It's the results haven't been there. I feel a lot closer. I'm pleased with the work I've put in over the last few months, and nothing has shown, so hopefully got a chance to win tomorrow.

I've felt very uncomfortable over the putts pretty much all year. Just been a little bit of hand position. We've got it sorted now where I feel like I'm striking the putts very well, hitting them on line and feeling confident.

And that's honestly half the battle, is feeling confident. And if you're not confident, not there, it's tough to shoot good scores.

I'm pleased with the work I've put in over the last two, three months. It's been a lot of work, so hopefully it pays off."

Koepka plays second shot to the par-five 16th hole at Kingsbarns during the 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (Photo Matt Hooper)

Three-time DP World Tour winner Lee added a second successive 68 to his opening 66 by offsetting two bogeys with five birdies, including back-to-back gains at the fifth and sixth. He did reach 12 under after a birdie at the 13th, but gave it back at the 15th to finish 11 under and take a share of the 54-hole lead for the fifth time in his DP World Tour career. Min Woo Lee could become the first Australian to lift the Open de France trophy since Robert Allenby in 1996, and follow in the footsteps of Greg Norman, David Graham, Bruce Devlin, Alan Murray and Kel Nagle.

Italy’s Migliozzi will try to win Continental Europe’s Oldest National Open for the second time when he tees it up just one shot back alongside Kim and Armitage, while Australian Elvis Smylie and France’s Jeong weon Ko share sixth on nine under.

Sweden’s Simon Forsström carded the third hole-in-one of the week at the par three seventh, which was one of six eagles on day three, adding another 150 trees to the tournament’s Eagles for Good campaign.