Jean Van de Velde held his nerve to hole a vital birdie putt on the 18th green at Hillside on Tuesday to book a spot in the Open Championship.
The Frenchman already has a place in Open folklore after squandering a three-shot lead on the final hole of the 1999 championship at Carnoustie, before losing a playoff to Paul Lawrie.
Local Final Qualifying (LFQ) also saw an 18th-hole collapse, but it was Van de Velde''s playing partner Danny Willett who suffered this time, as a double-bogey six cost him his chance of claiming one of the four qualification spots for Royal Birkdale.
Van de Velde took full advantage of the slip up to secure his place in the Major field, alongside Jamie Elson and amateur duo Chris Wood and Rohan Blizard.
Former Ryder Cup star Philip Walton won the LFQ event at West Lancashire and will be joined at the Open by Barry Hume and Peter Appleyard.
At Southport & Ainsdale, Jon Bevan and amateur Thomas Sherreard topped the leaderboard, with Stockport Golf Club''s Jamie Howarth also qualifying. |