Thirteen years after his only previous European Tour victory and just two months short of his 40th birthday, the irrepressible Frenchman returned to winning form by claiming his second title at the 2006 Madeira Island Open Caixa Geral de Depositos.

Earlier had feared he might not play again after injuring his knee skiing and undergoing two surgical reconstructions.

Regained his card in 2005 by virtue of his second place at the Open de France and his emotional victory in Madeira earned him a further two years’ exemption.

Will forever be remembered as the man who nearly won The Open Championship. Led in 1999 at Carnoustie by three shots playing the 72nd hole only to take a triple bogey seven and then lose a play-off to Paul Lawrie. Later made light of events in a humorous infomercial in which he replayed Carnoustie’s 18th hole in the dead of winter with only the company's brand putter in an attempt to better the seven strokes that cost him the championship. He succeeded on his third attempt.

Made his Ryder Cup debut in 1999 at The Country Club, Brookline.