Thomas Levet turned his season around in dramatic fashion on Sunday when he won his home French Open by a stroke.
The former Ryder Cup player’s one-under-par 70 for a seven-under 277 total was just enough to edge out runners-up Mark Foster of Britain and rookie Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark.
Levet ended a two-year wait for a win and also changed the outlook of his season. He had missed two successive cuts coming into the event and languished 105th on the European rankings.
Photo: AFP
“It’s unbelievable to win this tournament, a dream,” a soaking Levet told reporters after first being doused in champagne and then jumping into the lake at the 18th. “I fought like crazy today and waited for things to happen and on a tough course like this they did happen.”
The Frenchman had looked as though another attempt at taking his home title had gone by when he made early bogeys at the National course, which will host the 2018 Ryder Cup.
However, the 42-year-old 2004 Ryder Cup winner, urged on by a huge and enthusiastic gallery and holing some outrageous putts, overtook early front-runner Foster and held his cool to pick up his sixth European Tour title.
His playing-partner Olesen looked odds-on to join him in a playoff with the pair locked together on the last hole.
The young Dane, though, missed a two-foot putt on the final green to bogey. His consolation was to earn a British Open spot as best-placed finisher of players not already exempt.
Levet had already qualified and Olesen’s better world ranking gave him the Royal St George’s slot over Foster.
While Olesen had the satisfaction of chalking up a third second place in his first year on tour, for Foster it was another tournament that slipped through his fingers.
Last week he led going into the final round of the BMW International Open and finished tied third. This time he shared the lead with Briton James Morrison after three rounds, but still failed to add to his only title, the 2003 Dunhill Championship.
Martin Kaymer replaced US Open champion Rory McIlroy as world No. 3, but the German’s error-strewn first 12 holes showed the remodeling of his swing was not complete.
A 73 left him in fourth place on four-under, three adrift of Levet.
“I made too many mistakes to win, but I know I’m hitting the ball more solidly every week and I’m looking forward to the British Open,” Kaymer said.
A 78 by Morrison relegated him to seventh place, five strokes behind Levet.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely