Van de Velde bid is in good shape

His fight for health has helped him get sporting set-backs into perspective, including his failed attempt to qualify for a sentimental return to the Carnoustie Open last summer.

The 42-year-old former Ryder Cup player admitted: "Carnoustie last year was highly disappointing. I wish I could have been there but there is no way I could have played and competed. I would probably have shot two high scores and then gone home.

"I had a virus I'd had in the past and normally you can't contract it twice.

My doctor said it was a very interesting case. I told him it might be interesting to him but not to me.

"I was a wreck. I was in pain everywhere. I couldn't even carry my hand luggage on to the plane.

"The virus also triggered something in my stomach. I felt like I was six months pregnant, I was so bloated.

"I was very uncomfortable and for about three months I was continually vomiting. The doctors eventually gave me some medication and, after three-and-a-half months, I finally stopped being sick and I started feeling better around December.

"I've been feeling a lot stronger in the last three months. I'm driving the ball well and my putting seems to have got to a level I am more comfortable with."

The weather was set to close in again later in the day so Van de Velde's score was set to leave him within reach of the leaderboard.

But if he played well, then Villegas played magnificently.

Having started the day six over par, the 26-year-old Colombian opened with successive bogeys than ran in eight birdies, including a storming finish of five in succession, for a superb five-under-par 65.

One shot back was Rocco Mediate, the American veteran beaten to the US Open title in a play-off against a crocked Tiger Woods, countryman Jim Furyk and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell.

Mediate defended the course against criticism, mainly from fellow Americans, that the set-up was too severe. "I love the way it looks," he said. "It suits me very nicely."

The anticipated charge from pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia was failing to materialise even though the 28-year-old sank a snaking 70ft putt for a birdie two at the 201 yards fourth.

It made amends for a dropped shot at the first, but another bogey at the 10th and a dreadful double bogey sixth at the 11th saw the Spaniard struggling at five over. No English player has won the Open since Nick Faldo claimed the third of his three titles in 1996. With Lee Westwood and Justin Rose among those whose first rounds were affected by the horrendous conditions, it was Londoner Anthony Wall and Simon Wakefield who carried the nation's hopes into the second day.

They were both late finishers last night with one over par scores of 71, two off the lead. And both made promising starts this morning with Wall, son of a former black cab driver, and Wakefield, nephew of former England Test wicketkeeper Bob Taylor, delighting the packed gallery at the first with birdies. Approaching the turn, they were both two over.

Among the late starters were South Africa's Retief Goosen and Mike Weir, of Canada, who were level with Villegas on the leaderboard at one over.

Defending champion Padraig Harrington arrived on the driving range insisting he would be ready to resume on four over par after playing in pain from his wrist injury yesterday.

But unlikely to play into the weekend is Mark O'Meara, winner of the last Open hosted by Birkdale in 1998.

The 51-year-old American followed up a first round 74 with a 77 to stand 11 over and he admitted: "I'm not a happy camper. I don't think I'll be here tomorrow.