Van de Velde, the man whose triple bogey at the final hole cost him the 1999 Open at Carnoustie, does not even hold a tour card at the moment and after two knee operations has given himself until the end of next season to fight his way back.

Still far from 100% fit the former Ryder Cup player said: “There have been times when I have thought I would have to call it a day.

“At the end of the day all I’m worried about is being able to play and not be in pain where it’s unbearable.”

Van de Velde added that if he has another injury setback: “I will have to consider doing something else.

“Golf has given me plenty and I hope will continue to, but I’m not here to punish myself.

“There’s no doubt I can hit the ball and there are a lot of good signs, but there are a lot of questions marks too.”

If only Van de Velde had taken six and not seven in Scotland six years ago, he would have earned a 10-year tour exemption, but after falling into a play-off won by Paul Lawrie he tried his luck in America without success, then came back to Europe and lost his card.

He was given one medical extension to his membership but that has run out and now he relies on sponsor’s invitations, like this week.

His flawless round, which equals the record for the new lay-out, put him one ahead of England’s Jonathan Lomas, who fought off jetlag to have seven birdies as well, but also lost a ball on the long third and ran up a bogey six.

Colin Montgomerie, on his 42nd birthday, hit back from bogeys at the 13th and 14th with three birdies at the start of the front nine to be two under.

Joint third on five under were England’s Sam Little and Dane Anders Hansen, while tournament favourite Miguel Angel Jimenez was three under with one to play.