The Open - Merci beaucoup, Jean!
The Open at Carnoustie wasn’t quite the French revelation that I had expected. Yet I have some very happy memories of the 147th Open Championship in Scotland (19-22 July), courtesy of ‘Monsieur Jean van de Velde’.
I had the good fortune to be in France for much of July. We arrived in the beautiful city of Tours moments after France had won the World Cup football. Jubilant crowds of whole families poured onto the streets in their thousands waving flags and chanting “Vive La France!” in celebration. All rather spectacular. A week later we were in delightful Angers enjoying medieval knights jousting on horseback in the streets near the castle on the Saturday evening. In between rounds of golf, it was a poignant moment to reflect upon how sporting pastimes have changed over the centuries.
The next day we were again fully engrossed in the Open Golf Championship at Carnoustie. Alas, we were not among the 175,000 or so fans in Scotland this year, but we were among the millions around the world entranced by the drama on television. What a delightful Sunday of action it was, enjoyed live from the comfort, and coolness, of our hotel room in Angers!
“Chapeau Chappell!”
My prediction of a Frenchman causing a stir at this year’s Open was a bold one. However, a golfer with a very French-sounding name did almost win The Open: “Monsieur Sha-PELL”. Yes, the television commentary of ‘Canal Plus’ was a delight to the ear. With great passion and enthusiasm, the French team, which included Tour player Thomas Levet, talked about the comeback of “Ti-GURR” … applauded the attacking game of “Rory Mac-KILL-roy” .. and cheered the American challenge coming from the likes of “Kevin Kiss-NURR”. Whether it was “un fly-URR” out of the rough or a perfect drive on “Le fair-WAY”, the team seemed sportingly keen for each and every player.
Actually, Kevin Chappell is American. But never mind his nationality, he played a great tournament at Carnoustie. After birdieing the final hole, he finished in a tie for sixth place, just three shots behind the Italian winner Francesco Molinari.
It was, in fact, another American player with a real French connection who came even closer to victory. Xander Schauffele, whose father is descended from French-German parents, was the last player still out on the course who could threaten Molinari. The overnight-leader needed to hole his second shot for eagle at the 499-yard par four 18th to draw even and force a play-off with the Italian. Inspired by the crowds, he hit a tremendous shot landing the ball onto the green just short of the hole. A noble effort by the 24-year old Californian who finished in a share of second place with Justin Rose (England), Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) and Kevin Kisner (America).
Jean turns back the clock at Carnoustie
Keeping the fans informed out on the course on ‘Canal Plus’ was none other than Jean van de Velde who, of course, shot to fame at Carnoustie in 1999. The amiable Frenchman, who had led the championship after rounds two and three, looked certain to be crowned Open Champion that year until a string of bizarre incidents on the 72nd hole … a wayward drive, a 2-iron second shot which ricocheted off the grandstand, a hack from the rough, a drop and a plop, and a wade in the water … saw the Frenchman eventually lose the title in a play-off and so hand the Claret Jug to local hero Paul Lawrie. The unbelievable sight of Jean van de Velde walking into the ‘Barry Burn’ with his socks and shoes off and his trousers rolled up remains engraved in my memory to this day. Peter Alliss’ words of wisdom too: “He’s gone gaga!” Yes, we were all flabbergasted at the time and thought he’d lost his marbles. Jean’s golfing tale goes down as one of the most bizarre and memorable finishes in Open history.
However, although Jean didn’t win The Open that year, he did win himself a lot of fans worldwide. Indeed, he perhaps became more famous for not winning the 1999 Open than Paul Lawrie did for winning it.
Ryder Cup honour
Nowadays, Jean regularly works for golf broadcasters around the globe and is European Ryder Cup Director which means we can expect more of the Frenchman’s charm at ‘Le Golf National’ in Paris when the 42nd edition of the Ryder Cup takes place in France for the very first time from 28-30 September.
So who was the best Frenchman at The Open this year? TV commentator Jean van de Velde. “Naturellement!”
Wendy Hoad
READ MORE: ‘Magnificent Open victory for Molinari’
CHECK OUT the final scoreboard and prize money HERE
Nice to know …
Surprise, surprise! Alexander Levy was the only Frenchman playing in this year’s Open Championship. He shot rounds of 73-75 to miss the cut by three. Nevertheless, as is the custom in The Open, he picked up a consolation prize cheque for 5,074 euros for 104th spot.
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: The packed grandstands around the 18th green at Carnoustie during the final day of The Open. MINIS: Champion Francesco Molinari; Tiger Woods, Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy. BELOW: Jean van de Velde.