Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Van de Velde on way to Birkdale.

Frenchman Jean Van de Velde was one of 12 players to come through Open Championship at Hillside yesterday. Van de Velde is most remembered for his spectacular final hole collapse at the 1999 Open at Carnoustie. Needing a double bogey six to become champion, he proceeded to hack his way down the last to a triple bogey seven. He went on to lose the resulting play off to Paul Lawrie. “I qualified in 1999, so maybe this is my chance” said the 42 year old. Van de Velde finished second behind former Walker Cup player Jamie Elson, thanks to a birdie at the 18th, set up by an approach to 18 inches. Former amateur world number one Danny Willett missed out after taking a double bogey six up the last. The youngster from Doncaster has one more chance to make Birkdale, after receiving a late invitation to play in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, which begins on Thursday. Other notable names to make it through local qualifying include former Ryder Cup star Phillip Walton, and ex-European Tour winner Jonathan Lomas.
7/9/2008 9:40:49 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 


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