Stricken Raphael haunted by double tragedy

Jul 6 2008 By Euan Mclean

YOU couldn't paint a happier picture as Raphael Jacquelin soaked Gregory Havret in champagne to celebrate his mate's Barclays Scottish Open triumph last July.

But this year sadly it's tears instead of Laurent Perrier's finest that has been flowing for the Frenchman during the most traumatic year of his life.

Tragedy struck Jacqueline during five horrendous days in March when his best friend died suddenly on a Friday followed by the passing of his father Christian four days later.

Jacquelin was so upset by the bombshell of his friend's death that he withdrew from the Ballantines Championship in Korea to fly straight home - only to be confronted with even more grief.

The recovery process has been understandably slow as has his progress on the course with a third placed finish at the Celtic Manor Wales Open his only highlight this summer.

Yet the enjoyment of the game is still there and Jacquelin is determined the champagne will flow like it did on the Bonnie Banks last year.

But next time he wants the bubbly directed at his head.

Jacquelin said: "I don't know how I've managed to keep my game going this year, I really have no answer for that.

"Bad things happen and all you can do is go on and do your job as usual.

"I try to focus on what I'm doing, it's not easy but I try hard. I'm not playing well but I'm having some fun out there which is important.

"Perhaps my game will recover in time but I'm not worried about that. I try to do my job and play as well as I can.

"I always look forward to Loch Lomond and after Gregory's win last year and Thomas Levet in 2005, why not have another French champion?

"There's a great bond between the French guys as we are together so often on the road and travel as a group a lot. We are all close.

"So when one of us wins there is always the same great reaction - the rest cover him in champagne.

"That's a French tradition in any sport, from the Tour de France to tennis tournaments.

"It's always good fun though probably a terrible waste of good champagne!

"We want to see French players winning every week and hopefully it will be me getting wet soon.

"I'll give it my all at the Open and just hope for the best."