The 2018 Ryder Cup will be played on Le Golf National course in Versailles, near Paris after the French bid won a five-way contest on Tuesday to host the biennial match against the United States.

European Tour officials made the announcement at their base in Wentworth and France will become only the second country in continental Europe to stage the Ryder Cup after Spain in 1997.

The bid of the proposed Tres Cantos course near Madrid had gained momentum following the recent death of Seve Ballesteros and an announcement will be made shortly regarding a possible change of the Tour’s logo to include an image of the Spanish five-times major champion.

The French and Dutch bids were the only two to have completed courses and the French one had huge support from the country’s golfing public.

Over 400,000 members of the French golf federation agreed to pay an annual 3 euro levy for 10 years towards a French Ryder Cup bid.

Around 20 miles outside Paris, the spectacular course is one of the best in the world for spectators and can accommodate 70,000 of them.

“Each of the countries matched or exceeded our key requirements but the winning bid stands out for a number of reasons,” Ryder Cup director Richard Hills said.

“It has truly outstanding spectator viewing and the promise of an exciting climax to the matches.

“Key also was the plan to build 100 urban golf courses and that strong legacy will act as a catalyst to attract new players.

“There is no doubt that the 2018 Ryder Cup will be a dramatic and memorable one.”

The 2012 Ryder Cup will be at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois, Gleneagles in Scotland will host 2014 and the 2016 event will be at Hazeltine National in Minnesota.