Sports Then and Now

Thomas Levet will miss the British Open thanks to an injury suffered during this celebration jump after winning the French Championship.

Paris-born golfer Thomas Levet might be feeling a little bit silly today, after his over-enthusiastic celebration at the French Open Championship left him with an injury to his lower leg. Levet, who finished seven under par to win the contest, one shot ahead of closest rival, Thorbjorn Olesen, fractured his shin jumping into a lake with his manager, Patrice Bartez.

Speaking about the painful injury, the Frenchman said, “I will be off for six weeks”. The length of Levet’s hiatus means that he will not be available for the start of the British Open, which begins next week. The 42-year-old is the second high-profile golfer to be forced out of the Open, following the news that Tiger Woods’ injuries have consigned the American to a sun lounger for the immediate future. Those following the British Open betting will have noted their withdrawals with interest.

The Open Championship will be contested at the Royal St. George’s Golf Course for the first time in almost a decade. Levet finished tied for 2nd after a playoff at the British Open in 2002.

Levet has surrendered his place at Royal St. George’s to US golfer, Robert Garrigus. The UK’s Simon Dyson, Anthony Kim of the USA, and Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, became the next three reserves in line due to the Parisian’s withdrawal.

Although “extremely disappointed” at having to exit the British Open, Levet notes that the “wonderful memory” of his recent victory at Le Golf National will “keep me going” throughout his unexpected holiday. However, the Parisian must first undergo surgery on his damaged limb, specifically, to fit a metal plate to aid recovery. Anyone looking at the golf betting will be wondering if he can come back from the injury.

Levet’s victory at the French Open was his first major success at the tournament in a quarter of a century.