Jean Van de Velde emerged from semi-retirement on Thursday to stand among the early leaders in the Alstom French Open.
"I have no expectations whatsoever," says Frenchman after opening 66
Eleven years to the week after writing himself into golfing folklore, Jean Van de Velde emerged from semi-retirement on Thursday to stand among the early leaders in the Alstom French Open.
The 44-year-old Frenchman, who threw away a three-shot lead at the 72nd hole of the 1999 Open at Carnoustie, carded a five-under-par 66 in his opening round in Paris to join Alejandro Canizares and Martin Kaymer at the top of the leaderboard.
However, Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen emerged as the outright leader late in the day after shooting an eight-under-par 63.
Van de Velde, who is playing in just his second event of the year, can gain entry into this year's Open Championship, which starts at St Andrews in two weeks' time, if he wins this weekend.
However, as the world number 1,175 himself admitted, that is a big "if" against a field that includes five of the world's top 11 players.
"I have no expectations whatsoever," said Van de Velde, who is playing on a sponsor's invitation this week. "Even now. Especially now. But we will see - you never know with a Frenchman."
Famously, Van de Velde found himself at one stage standing barefoot in the Barry Burn at Carnoustie as his game collapsed and Paul Lawrie came through to take the Claret Jug in a play-off.
Heartache
This event has also given him his heartache, however. He tied with compatriot Jean-Francois Remesy five years ago after once more finding water on the last and did the same again in the ensuing play-off.
"There are two tournaments I would like to play all my life if I could - the French Open and the British Open," Van de Velde added.
"I have a few scars and and some have not healed, but those are the two that have a special place."
His opening round contained birdies on the 14th and 15th as he reached the turn in 33 and he then picked up further shots on the third, fourth and ninth.
Defending champion Kaymer is one of the top-ranked stars present this week alongside the likes of Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, who were both passed fit to play following leg problems earlier in the week.
They shot 70 and 72 respectively, with both players dropping late shots - but both relieved to be playing after they were forced to sit out the eve-of-tournament pro-am.
There was a fear Westwood, runner-up after a play-off last year, was suffering a blood clot, but a hospital visit said the swelling had more to do with the heat.
"It's a bit sore and stiff and I think I have an injury in there somewhere," the world number three said. "I think it wants rest and I have a couple of weeks after The Open when I can put my feet up."
Poulter had suffered a reaction to an insect bite on his shin and was given antibiotics.
After three-putting the 16th and 18th he commented: "I got round all right, but it's been itching the whole day and driving me crazy."
Charge
Playing in the last group of the day, former Dubai Desert Classic winner Derksen charged through the back nine in a five-under 30 and picked up further shots on the first, sixth and long closing ninth.
World number seven Luke Donald - who finished second, first and third in his last three tournament starts in Europe - fought back from two over at the turn to finish with a one-under 70.
Playing partner and 10th-ranked Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, also covered the outward half in 33 to sign for a 68.
Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie could do no better than 73, while Jose Maria Olazabal, back in action for the first time since October, struggled to an 11-over 82.
