Jean
Van de Velde, fully recovered from his infamous collapse in the British Open,
is thoroughly enjoying being the first Frenchman to play in the Ryder Cup matches.
"The atmosphere
here is fantastic, and the people are very encouraging and very helpful," Van
de Velde said on Wednesday just before a practice round in the rain at The Country
Club, where the 33rd Ryder Cup matches begin on Friday.
Van de Velde, whose shocking triple bogey on the 72nd hole at Carnoustie cost
him the lead and led to a playoff loss in the British Open in July, said he was
impressed with the huge crowds -- estimated at 30,000 -- that filled the course
for the first day of formal practice.
"The
people are here to enjoy golf and it doesn't matter if you're an American, or
if you're Irish, or if you're French, or whatever, you hit a good shot and they
respond to it."
Van de Velde, 33, also said he would draw strength from his experience at Carnoustie,
where Ryder Cup team-mate Paul Lawrie beat him and American Justin Leonard in
the playoff.
"The
Open was a great experience ... It's not like I was five behind and all of a sudden
after 71 holes I was three ahead," he said in response to a question about playing
in the pressure of a Ryder Cup.
"I
was ahead from the 35th to the 71st hole. If that's not coping with pressure,
I don't know what is."
Van de Velde, who has only one victory in 10 years on the European PGA Tour, also
displayed the keen sense of humour that has helped him endure the disappointment
of Carnoustie.
In describing one hole on the golf course here Van de Velde said, "the green is
like a handkerchief."
"I
think you need to be the first to play, because if you hit your ball on it, there
is no room for another ball, it's so small."
The Frenchman also got an opportunity to take a dig at his national airline, which
temporarily lost his clubs in transporting them to the PGA Championship near Chicago
last month.
Asked if his clubs arrived on time this week, he said, "Yes, they did. I took
British Airways this time, so they arrived."
Van de Velde, who used his day without clubs at the PGA to tour Chicago, also
took time this week to visit nearby Boston, a picturesque city filled with historic
sites, museums and universities.
"Of
course, golf is the most important thing this week, but it's not the only one,"
said Van de Velde, who took his wife, Brigitte, and daughter on a tour of Boston
on Monday.
"We
had a great time," he said. "For me it's important to feel comfortable where I
am and see a little of it."
Van de Velde also realised the impact he was having at home as the first golfer
from his country to play in the Ryder Cup matches, which pit 12-man teams from
the United States and Europe against each other for three days.
"It's fantastic," he said.
"People (at home) are talking about it more; the media, TV and newspapers are
more into it. The general public is looking at golf with a different view."
Van de Velde was also personally delighted with his pioneering Ryder Cup role.
"It was my dream
to play in the Ryder Cup when I was a kid and I worked pretty hard for it," he
said. "I'm going to cherish every moment of it, every little detail, and everything
that happens this week.
"I'm
going to keep it in the back of my head and have it for the rest of my life."
