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Van de Velde came close to winning the Open in 1999 Frenchman Jean van de Velde was one of 12 players to advance to this year's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale from final local qualifying on Tuesday. Van de Velde, who blew a chance of Open glory at Carnoustie in 1999, finished second behind former Walker Cup player Jamie Elson at Hillside. Van de Velde, who missed last year's Open at Carnoustie with a virus, just sneaked in with a birdie at the last. "I qualified in 1999, so maybe this is my chance," said the 42-year-old. "It means a lot to be playing in it again. There are only two tournaments a year I want to play in and play good in - the French Open and the Open." Van de Velde, destined to be remembered for his last-hole triple-bogey seven at Carnoustie in 1999, had a reprieve when his ball was found in dense rough on... [read full story]
