British Open 2011: Thomas Levet May Miss Tournament After Celebration Injury

According to reports, 2002 British Open runner-up Thomas Levet may have to sit out the 2011 version of The Open following a bizarre injury incurred while celebrating a recent tournament victory.

After winning the French Open last week, Levet -- in accordance with golf tradition -- exuberantly jumped into the course lake in celebration. The plunge unfortunately resulted in a small fracture to the 42-year old’s shin, which will keep him out of this week’s Scottish Open, and may keep him out of this year’s British Open depending on the severity of the damage. Levet is scheduled to receive concentrated treatment throughout the next few days, and will consultant an expert again later this week before making his formal decision.

Levet nearly won the 2002 British Open, having taken eventual-champion Ernie Els to the brink with a four-hole playoff, followed by a one-hole sudden-death playoff, before finally succumbing to the South African. After failing to qualify for The Open from 2006-2008, Levet has participated in the major for two consecutive years.