Van de Velde back at the Open

Frenchman rides his luck to reach Royal Birkdale Van de Velde: good break at 17 Jean Van de Velde made a last-hole birdie to secure his place at next week's Open Championship. Van de Velde was one of four players to come through the 36-hole final qualifying at Hillside with a one under par total of 143. The 42-year-old Frenchman pitched to within 18 inches of the flag on the 439-yard 18th. But that would have been of no use if his ball had not been found in dense rough right of the 17th fairway. "I might have taken eight on the hole, but managed to par it," said Van de Velde, who had asked for better control of the spectators after his opening 70. "The crowd were on my side both days, but just a little bit too close to my side at times. People are trying to communicate with you, but sometimes they were so excited they got in... [read full story]