Thomas Levet

Why can’t every professional golfer be like Thomas Levet? Rather than stalking the fairways with the fixed rictus of a man suffering from a nasty case of trapped wind, the Frenchman with the laser-beam blue eyes and happy-go-lucky attitude actually looks like he enjoys playing competitive golf for money. Of course, Levet can play a bit too. He cemented his place in our affections after casting aside the disappointment of losing a sudden-death play-off for the most prestigious title in golf in order to hoist his eventual conqueror, Ernie Els, aloft on the 18 th green at Muirfield. Victories in the Victor Chandler British Masters at Woburn and the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond enhanced his reputation, while his annual strong showing at the Open means he has now replaced Jesper Parnevik as our favourite dark horse at the bookies. But perhaps it was his role at the last Ryder Cup that really showed the mark of the man. At Oakland Hills his enthusiasm was infectious, making his victory over Fred Funk in the singles all the more joyous. Just ask our editor – he half-strangled him in the jubilant aftermath.

We have a framed photograph in the office of you being strangled by our editor in the celebrations after last Ryder Cup. How is the neck?

“I’ve signed about 5,000 copies of that picture this year. Tell your editor that my neck is okay, just a little red. Maybe you could call me a redneck.”

» Thomas Levet Pt.2