Golf French OpenAustralia's Robert Allenby believes his battling final-round 70 at the US Open on Sunday could help him combat the rigours of a tight layout at Le National near Paris for the French Open which begins today.

The 32-year-old achieved his best result in a major by tying for seventh at the US Open, vaulting up the leaderboard with the only level-par score on the last day in brutal, fast-running conditions at Shinnecock Hills.

According to Allenby, this week's course is tighter and has much more punishing rough than Shinnecock.

"The fairways are narrower than the US Open course, no more than 15-20 yards wide," said the Australian, who is bidding to win the title for the second time over the same layout. "It's so much tighter than the last time I was here.

"Even if you are only in the second cut (of rough), you can't get on the green. Thankfully, though, the greens here are perfect."

Strong winds have been predicted for this week, and there were gusts of up to 70 kph in Wednesday's pro-am.

"Those that played last week's US Open might be at an advantage, but we also could be a bit drained, because you only expect one week a year like that," added Allenby, who won the 1996 French Open by edging out Bernhard Langer in a play-off.

European Ryder Cup captain Langer plays his first tournament of the season in Europe this week, having missed last month's TPC of Europe and the Volvo PGA Championship because of wrist injury.

Britain's Paul Casey is also taking part, and could seal his place in Langer's team for Oakland Hills with a top-three finish.

Britain's Phil Golding defends his title this week but is struggling with tennis-elbow. Wednesday's strong winds caused havoc in the pro-am. Frenchman Thomas Levet said his four-man team lost 50 balls in the conditions.

Six Irish players take their chance - Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Gary Murphy and former champion Philip Walton.