ABSTRACT
It was the 128th British Open at Carnoustie, Scotland, in 1999. Jean Van de Velde had led for three days, having played some of the most sublime golf of his career. He’d been something of a prodigy, starting playing as a 6-year-old in his native France. Having qualified for the PGA Tour in 1988 after a distinguished amateur career, he won the Roma Masters in 1993. But, as he approached the 72nd hole with a three-stroke lead, he knew that the biggest prize so far was within reach. There was nothing in his bearing or behavior to suggest he would play this hole with anything but the same adeptness and composure he had brought to the previous 71. Gathering momentum, Van de Velde looked set for a peak performance, all facets of his game gelling together at exactly the right time. Then, something extraordinary happened. There followed 15 of the most incomprehensible minutes in sports history.
