The Career of Jean Van De Velde

Posted by doug

February 3, 2010

I happened to run across the video above of Jean Van De Velde talking about his collapse in the 1999 British Open and later another collapse after leading by 1 stroke in the 2005 French Open.

Even listening to this interview I somehow still have the impression that he just doesn’t get it – that it *might* have been more prudent to take another club off the 18th tee rather than hit driver. But I’m not sure “the story” he tells himself about that event has done much to help his golf game or his career for that matter.

It’s interesting to think about how “the stories” you tell yourself about your golf game can shape your perceptions and ultimately your future outcomes on the course. Heck, any story you tell yourself is made up so why not make up one that supports what your up to or where you want to go.

I can’t help but think maybe Jean should have told himself a different story to himself about that fateful day – one that embraced faulty decision making and unsound strategy. He could have then “owned” what happened, causing less internal resistance – perhaps causing his career to spiral upward rather than downward.

Not doubt, the guy at that time of his career (he was 34 in 1999 at the British Open) he had game. But now it’s 10 years later and just a few weeks ago came in 67th missing the cut at the Asian Tour Qualifying School.

He has been plagued with recent nagging health issues for a number of years including a recent bout of food poisoning so it appears his golf career is coming to an anti-climatic end.

Van de Velde, however, will be always be known as the golfer who gave away the 1999 British Open but to his credit he played some splendid golf in his career (amassing 4 Professional wins) and putting French golf back on the map.

I’m not sure what next for Jean but maybe it’s time to move on to other ventures and just enjoy all the splendid golf in France.