Sports Letters: Applause for Van de Velde

Sir: Before the Carnoustie memories are allowed to fade, let's put a few things into perspective. Golf is a game of great tradition and golfers worship that tradition along with its Royal and Ancient history, rule book and sense of fair play. So why the fuss about the state of the course for the Open?

The course and conditions could not have been that far removed from the sport's earliest days, yet the pampered big-names who moaned that it was unfair could not cope with its demands - unlike their predecessors, who managed to play Carnoustie without the help of scientifically-enhanced equipment.

At least Jean Van de Velde upheld golf's values by playing the game in the spirit that was always intended and by displaying such good grace when the title that could have been his slipped away.

DAVID GARRARD

Gatley, Cheshire