Jean Van De Velde was born on May 29th, 1966 in Landes, France. He turned pro in 1987 and first played on the European Tour two years later. His first win on tour came at the 1993 Roma Masters. He then blew a great chance to win the 1999 Open Championship.

Van de Velde had a 3 shot lead playing the last hole, a double bogey would of won him the Open. However he hit his second shot into a grandstand and then found water to make a triple bogey 7. He eventually lost in a playoff. His career was then hampered by injuries as he tried his luck on the PGA Tour.