Allez Jean!

Coincidentally, Van de Velde’s win came one week after Lawrie ended his own barren spell by claiming victory at the Open de Andalucia – and the irony didn’t end there. As well as claiming HK$58,000 for the win, Van de Velde received the championship trophy, which bears a striking resemblance to the Claret Jug, the prize Lawrie took home after his Open win 12 years ago. Not than he was taking the bait.
“I know two people who will be really happy with seeing it [the trophy] – my two boys,” said Van de Velde, a frequent visitor to Hong Kong where his wife and two young sons live.
Van de Velde, whose career has been blighted by injury, pledged to return to defend his title in 2012. But despite his dominant performance over one of the strongest fields in the Hong Kong PGA Championship’s 27-year history, ruled out a return to full-time tournament golf.
“I will play a few international tournaments this year ¬– the French Open, maybe the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea and the Dunhill Links – but I’ve been doing this for so long and I don’t want to keep packing my suitcase. Those days are behind me,” said Van de Velde, who has been busy in his role as an ambassador for France’s bid to host the 2018 Ryder Cup.
“It’s a strong bid, and I think we have a good chance, but we’ll know on May 17 when the decision is announced,” said Van de Velde, who became the first Frenchman in history to play in the biennial tournament when he made the European team in 1999 at Brookline Country Club. Asked if he was the man to captain the European side if France wins, Van de Velde laughed: “Absolutely not. That is not for me at all.”
Last year's Hong Kong Close and Open Amateur champion Liu Lok-tin had a tournament he'll not soon forget. Rounds of 66, 71 and 77 gave the 17-year-old a three-day total of 214, good enough for a share of fifth spot and low amateur honours.