Red-faced DP World Tour pro hits outrageous shank in front of home fans

Matthieu Pavon struck a dreaded shank in front of his home fans and Sky Sports on-course commentator Wayne Riley at the Open de France at Le Golf National. 

Pavon, 31, has enjoyed a breakthrough season in his rookie campaign on the PGA Tour highlighted by victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. 

The talented Frenchman ended up finishing T17 in the season-long FedEx Cup race. 

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Pavon has now turned his attentions back to his home DP World Tour circuit ahead of the season-ending Playoffs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai next month. 

He is currently postioned in the top 50 on the DP World Tour Rankings.

Should he remain there next month then he will qualify for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship. 

Rory McIlroy is currently running away with the Race to Dubai as the World No.3 closes in on emulating Seve Ballesteros' haul of six Harry Vardon trophies.

Pavon, who won the 2023 Open de Espana, will unlikely be picking up too many Race to Dubai points this week as he looks on from well down the board on home turf in Paris. 

The Frenchman hit one of the worst shots of his professional career on the par-4 13th in the first round.

Pavon split the middle of the fairway and only had a wedge into the green from 133 yards. 

But his green light situation very quickly turned red as Pavon proceeded to shank his approach shot into the trees.

'It's a German tank.' Sky Sports Golf on-course commentator Riley said as he trudged over to find Pavon's ball. 

Thankfully his ball remained in bounds and Pavon was able to limit the damage to just a bogey. 

Watch Pavon's brutal shank here:

Pavon went on to card a 1-over 72 on Thursday but he would make the cut thanks to a 69 on Friday.

He posted a round of 70 on Saturday to lie 2-under par heading into the final round.

That is well of the pace though.

Jesper Svensson leads the way on 13-under par with 18 holes to play. 

The Swede holds a narrow one-shot lead over Thorbjorn Olesen and Sam Bairstow.

VIEW OPEN DE FRANCE SCORES HERE