Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will miss the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational this summer by playing at the 100th Open de France.
The clash between the two tournaments has occurred following a re-working of the PGA Tour's 2016 calendar to accommodate the Rio Olympics, where golf will return again to the programme.
Moving the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational forward a month has caused friction between the European and PGA Tours.
Four-time Major winner McIlroy won the prestigious Bridgestone event in Akron two years ago, but he feels playing at Le Golf National near Paris -- the host venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup -- from June 30-July 3 will help his Open chances at Royal Troon.