Jean Van de Velde

Which golfers do you most admire, and what was it about their character that most impressed you?

In my generation, I loved the way [Jose Maria] Olazábal not only played but conducted himself. Of course, there’s the likes of [Jack] Nicklaus and [Arnold] Palmer, a different generation and also from across the pond. But historically, Seve was the reason I played golf. Literally. He was born 150 kilometres from where I was born. He had everything – he had flair, he had charisma, he had panache. He was actually the guy who stood on the tee and said, ‘Can I hit that shot? Yes, I can hit it. If so, why wouldn’t I hit it, then?’ Sometimes, mathematics or percentages were not involved. Just a guy who truly followed what he felt was right for him.

You also have players like Bernhard Langer and you could barely tell any emotion on his face or the way he walked. We’ve been fortunate in Europe to be playing with those guys. Jiménez is an inspiration, [Rory] McIlroy’s an inspiration for the young guys, and there’s [Lee] Westwood. There are so many different characters.

Is there a moment you can remember when you first started playing golf where another player or someone in the game did something that left a lasting impression on you?

Something good or something bad? [Laughs]. There have been a lot of moments like that. To be honest, the best thing I remember or appreciate is when someone takes the time out of their own lives to give it to someone else and help. Money is one thing, but giving time to others, to make sure you can contribute to somebody else, is important, just to make them a better chipper or anything. I’m always amazed by good people who are very busy, but who do that.

Is there a wide range of different characters currently playing on the tour?

There’s a whole range out there, but I guess everyone is attracted to a certain type of person, one who’s more similar to you, that you may have more common ground with. That doesn’t mean you don’t respect people not like you. I was not like Bernhard Langer, but I have the deepest respect for the man on every level. It takes a lot of people to make the world go round. I might like red hair, black hair, whatever. It’s the variety of characters that attract people to the game. Another reason is you don’t need to be 190cm, 110kg – there are all sorts of physical shapes and sizes and the fact anyone can play and be good is another reason golf is so popular.