Jean Van de Velde has announced that he will stop playing full-time on the European Tour at the end of the current season.
Frenchman to play a maximum of 12 events next year
Jean Van de Velde has announced that he will stop playing full-time on the European Tour at the end of the current season.
However, the 42-year-old, best known for his antics in Carnoustie's Barry Burn as he let slip a three-stroke lead on the final hole of the 1999 Open, said he would continue to play a select number of events.
Van de Velde said that knee problems caused in a ski-ing accident six years ago, together with a desire to spend more time with his family, were the reasons behind his decision.
"It's not like I'm going to stop playing completely but I'm definitely going to slow down a lot," Van de Velde said.
"My career I can compare to a good bottle of wine. You take a glass and enjoy it; you take a second glass and really enjoy it; a third, then the bottle is getting empty.
"I've been going around the world for so many years and at the end of the day you can only do so much. Next year I will only play the tournaments I really enjoy.
"I don't know exactly how many I will play but the maximum will be a dozen," he added.
The popular Frenchman's career was almost ended last year when he was struck down by a virus.
Concerns
"My leg is always a concern, the injury does not leave me alone for long. It was definitely a concern last week (in the Portugal Masters) and that is not going to go away," he continued.
"After so long there are other things in life than golf. I have my family to consider and I have a few other things to do as well."
Van de Velde currently lies 133rd on Europe's money-list and, with the top 115 players guaranteed Tour cards for 2009, he could still earn full playing rights at the final event to count, this week's Castello Masters.
However, Van de Velde has said that, even if he plays well in Spain, he will spurn any playing privileges earned.
"Even if I was to win this week I won't change my mind and it won't make any difference to my schedule for next year, it will be very, very reduced," he said.
Instead, Van de Velde will rely on both his final 2008 ranking and invitations to help determine his starts for next year.
He added that the winding down of his playing career will come as a prelude to future plans, which may include commentating and course design.
However, Van de Velde has ruled out any appearances on the Senior Tour.
"Once you have been competitive it is hard to give that up, it's true. To play it (seniors golf) as a full-time career, though, the way I am thinking today, I don't think so," he said.
"But I will definitely go and see my friends on a handful of occasions, just to enjoy their company again."
