Living large as the leader Van de Velde insists he'll enjoy final round at Open Click here for more on this story Posted: Saturday July 17, 1999 04:40 PM   Van de Velde's short game saved his round, including this bunker shot on the 17th hole. AP CARNOUSTIE, Scotland (Reuters) -- If Jean Van de Velde does blow his five shot lead and fail to win the British Open on Sunday he is unlikely to collapse in tears on the 18th green. The Frenchman insisted on Saturday that, whatever happens, he is determined to enjoy the moment -- and it was impossible not to believe him. "I'm going to have 24 hours to think, which is plenty too much, and my knees will be touching when I'm on the first tee," he said. "But I am going to enjoy it -- I'll force myself to enjoy it. "Sure there's pressure but it's only the biggest tournament in the world. What can happen? I'm a bit ahead, I can lose it... or I can win it. "It's just nice. How many times is it going to happen? Not that often, no matter how good you are. "Maybe I'll blow it, so what? I'll still go home and have fun with my friends." The golfing media, normally spoonfed a diet of "focus, mind set and game plan" were held spellbound by the Frenchman's obvious joie de vivre. Asked about his sponsorship deal with EuroDisney he said: "It's great, you have to test all the rides, go round with the characters, I have a great time." He talked about his love of soccer and rugby, the sports he preferred until his golfing talent became apparent when he was 14. He said he skis for a month every year and just loves to eat. It was hard to believe this was the same man who, 30 minutes earlier, had shown a steely resolve to sink a 30-foot putt on the last that was in from the moment he struck it. "Did he make three?" asked Tiger Woods, hearing the roar as he talked through his 74 and well aware that making up seven shots on the leader is not going to be easy. "If he keeps doing what he's doing he's going to be awfully tough to catch," said the American. What Van de Velde is doing is attacking the course when all around him try to survive it. His short game got him out of trouble on a dozen occasions on Saturday and his putting was supreme. While his success may have surprised most of the fans at Carnoustie, it did not come as such a shock to his fellow pros. "He is a very good player," said Colin Montgomerie. "Doing all the right things," said Greg Norman, while Woods added: "He's had a wonderful couple of years, he's playing very aggressive." While his fellow pros were united in their praise, they were also quick to point out that Van de Velde is entering unknown territory now. His sole win was in the 1993 Roma Masters, the smallest of beers in comparison. "Anyone who has got a lead like that has got to sleep on it," said Woods. "I remember the Masters in 97 -- it wasn't a good night's sleep -- and I had a nine shot lead." Montgomerie echoed the thoughts of many when he said: "The one thing we don't know, and he doesn't until he's been there, is how he can cope with the situation now. "Now it's not about swinging a golf club, it's nothing to do with technique and it's nothing to do with golf. It's all about what's in his head right now. "He'll learn an awful lot about himself and we'll learn an awful lot about Jean Van de Velde over the next 27 holes."   Related information Stories Van de Velde shoots 70 to stretch lead to five strokes Parry fires way into contention with tournament-low 67 British Notes: About Parry's 67 Woods goes into final round seven back of leader Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV. Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.