Whenever the name ‘Carnoustie’ is mentioned we automatically think back to The Open in 1999, for those of you that don’t know why, here’s a little reminder……
……yes you remember!!
Van de Velde nearly achieved victory at the 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie, when he was the clear leader playing the closing holes. He arrived at the 18th tee needing only a double bogey six to become the first Frenchman since 1907 to win the tournament. He had played error-free golf for much of the championship and birdied the 18th hole in two prior rounds. He took a seven and got into a three-way playoff with Justin Leonard and Paul Lawrie.
Paul Lawrie eventually triumphed in the playoff.
Carnoustie had been set up particularly hard for that week boasting the longest rough an Open had ever seen, and the tightest fairways. With the wind blowing as well just made it one of the toughest opens in history, which made Van de Velde’s achievement going into the final hole even greater.
The Championship course was 7,421 yards for that week and a par 71.
Click here to see the final leaderboard.
The Course was established in 1850 and designed by, Allan Robertson, Old Tom Morris and James Braid
The course record stands at 64 held by: Colin Montgomerie, Steve Stricker and Richard Green.
