Golf: Van de Velde in hunt for rare victory

Jean Van de Velde was today in contention for his first European Tour victory since 1993 in the Italian Open in Sardinia.

Van de Velde, always remembered for throwing away the Open championship at Carnoustie in 1999, is thriving since giving up his attempts to play on the US Tour, the Frenchman securing his card for next season by finishing second in the Cannes Open two weeks ago.