But one of the rounds of his life gave Van de Velde a taste of the lead at the Open at Carnoustie on Friday and gave him the chance to change the face of French golf.

Not since Arnaud Massy in 1907 has there been a French winner of the title and there are still only around 300,000 golfers in the country.

A three under par 68 lifted the 33-year-old onto the one over total of 143 as the world's greatest players struggled on the toughest links in the world.

At the start of the week Van de Velde was simply trying to qualify for the championship. Now the biggest prize in the sport is in his sights.

"I'm going to go out and try to enjoy it," said the man whose 11-year European tour career features just one victory - the 1993 Rome Masters.

"I know it's a major, but it's just a golf tournament. You have to stay focused and try to do nothing silly.

"If it's my week it's my week - we will see."

Birdies at the sixth and seventh brought an outward 34 and after a lone bogey at the short 13th he made an outrageous 50-foot putt at the 250-yard 16th and hit a wedge to three feet on the 487-yard 18th to complete a magical day's work.

Van de Velde is sponsored by Disneyland, so in conditions described as "Mickey Mouse" by some, who better to lead? Or even to win?