 The tournament started in 1970 as the "Tournament of Champions" but from 1971 it was called the "Trophée Lancôme", named after Menet's company.It began as an unofficial event, in that it was not part of a tour schedule, but it was backed by the Fédération Française de Golf and by preeminent sports agent Mark McCormack who arranged for some of the world's top players to participate.The 1970 and 1971 the tournament was played over three rounds (54 holes), but starting in 1972 it was played over four rounds (72 holes).