Van de Velde counts his blessings as well as birdies

Published on Friday 18 July 2008 13:11

ALMOST a year to the day that he waited anxiously for the result of a test to see if he had bone cancer, Jean Van de Velde stayed in contention for The Open today – and then counted his blessings.

"I'm one of the lucky ones," said the 42-year-old after adding a 71 to his opening 73 for a four over halfway total. Van de Velde, still best remembered for his closing triple bogey seven when three clear on the final tee of the 1999 championship at Carnoustie, missed last year's event because of ill-health.

For months it was not known what was causing him to vomit several times a day. "I was bloated and felt six months pregnant," he recalled and, during Open week he was in a Biarritz hospital seriously concerned for his future. It turned out to be nothing more serious than a virus and returning to the sport has given him a new outlook on life.

"Golf is just a game, a fantastic game, but still just a game," he added. "I carry that thought around with me on the course big-time. Coming up the 18th today you would not believe the pain I had in my leg, but that's nothing. I'm here and lots of people are not."

The leg he referred to is something he has to manage all the time after knee surgery six years ago. That also threatened his career.

He made birdie putts at the first and seventh. The weather worsened on the back nine, however, and he could not avoid two double bogeys at the 11th and the 15th after finding deep rough.