Jean Van de Velde leads with record round

France's Jean Van de Velde produced signs of recovery after a nightmare three years of injury when he equalled the new National course record 64 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead in the French Open.

Van de Velde's seven-under-par in the first round came before a thunderstorm caused play to be abandoned at 1850 local.

He leads Britain's Jonathan Lomas by a stroke and his battle for fitness following double knee surgery in 2002 looks to be gathering momentum.

Van de Velde, who will forever be known for losing the 1999 British Open by triple-bogeying the 72nd hole at Carnoustie, can still get his career on track but his major memories remain.

After collecting seven birdies with a flawless score to lead a European Tour event for the first time since his ill-fated 1999 British Open bid, he said: "If I am three ahead on Sunday let's see how I play the last."

Van de Velde's French Open entry is, like all his appearances now, by invitation, and he has given himself a target of the end of 2006 to get back on to the European Tour.

He can achieve that goal this week, even with a fifth place finish in a tournament that offers the biggest prize money in continental Europe.

Van de Velde's problems began with a skiing accident that caused him his right knee reconstruction in July 2002. Six months later he needed further surgery.

After countless fitness regimes and three unsuccessful comebacks, Van de Velde, 39, gave himself a last chance this April when he returned to the fairways. Thursday's 64 has given him hope his career is not over.

He said: "When you can shoot 64 over a course like this you know have played good golf because it is a good test.

"If I can keep playing like this and things go my way, then everything is in reach."

A Van de Velde victory, which would also qualify him for this year's British Open, would mean a second successive French win after Jean-Francois Remesy ended a 35-year wait for a home champion last year.

Briton Lomas is looking to go one better at the National after being beaten down the closing stretch in 2000 for the French title by Colin Montgomerie's two eagles in five holes.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez, Dane Anders Hansen and South African Richard Sterne are two further strokes back.

The thunderstorm that began at 1532 local time left half the field of 156 still to complete their second rounds. Play will re-starting at 0730 on Friday.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page