Stuart Franklin/Action Images

C'est la vie: Van de Velde ponders his fate in the Barry Burn.

Eight years ago, on a golf course that time forgot, a Frenchman was poised to win an ancient game's oldest prize. But with one hole to play, a tragedy of epic proportions struck. This is the tale of how it unfolded, told by those who were there, with up-close and intimate footage, and the deleted scenes you never saw.

THE CAST

THE LOSER
Jean Van de Velde

A double-bogey 6 or better was all that separated the Frenchman from the Claret Jug. He made 7.

THE ENABLER
Christophe Angiolini

Van de Velde's much-scorned caddie. A magic eight-ball would have offered better advice.

THE PARTNER
Craig Parry

Australian pro and two-time PGA Tour winner paired with Van de Velde during the fabled round.

THE WINNER
Paul Lawrie

The eventual champion; still less famous than the burn into which Van de Velde's ball sank.

BBC broadcaster who, after Van de Velde pulled driver, said: "Oh, I'm not sure this is the right move."

THE ENGRAVER
Alex Harvey

32-year veteran was at the ready when Van de Velde triple-bogeyed his way toward infamy.

NARRATOR II
Curtis Strange

THE EXPERT
Roland A. Carlstedt

Not just any sports shrink — the chairman of the American Board of Sport Psychology.