Jean Van de Velde scored a points victory in a war of words ahead of the Vivendi Seve Trophy at Saint Nom-la-Breteche near Versailles.

Both Van de Velde, as the Continental Europe captain, and Paul McGinley, who again is the GB & I captain, attended a press conference today.

It was Van de Velde who had the honour of announcing his first out match in the Fourballs.

However before indicating the Spanish pair of Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal as his starting duo, Van de Velde revealed a break in protocol, and a move to honour the memory of Seve Ballesteros.

Vivendi Seve Trophy captains Jean Van de Velde and Paul McGinley. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

It is custom for the visiting team, in this case the GB & I side, to tee-up first but Van de Velde conferred with McGinley and European Tour organisers and sought permission for Jimenez to tee up first.

Jimenez, a dear friend to Ballesteros, had played in the inaugural 2000 Seve Trophy at Sunningdale where Ballesteros captained Continental Europe to its only success.

“Being the Vivendi Seve Trophy, and Seve being the reason why this tournament even exists, Seve passing away a few months ago, I and everybody felt like paying a tribute to the man would be something more than important,” said Van de Velde.

“Seve was one of the players, if not the player in my heart, who made The European Tour or at least launched the European Tour from where it was and where it is now. 

“We decided to that extent there would be a Spaniard hitting the first shot of the tournament, and who better than his good friend, Miguel Ángel Jiménez. 

“So I asked Miguel, first of all, if he would be happy with that, and obviously he’s thrilled with it. 

The opening Fourball matches of the 2011 Vivendi Seve Trophy. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“I spoke to most of the players about it.  I addressed Paul with that idea, and everybody else thought it was great.

“Paul, the gentleman that he is, gave us the honour for the full section.  It would be difficult and quite inconceivable to have the honour only for one group, so he said, “Why don’t you have the honour for the full day so we can have this happening.”

“So I’m delighted that it is going to happen.”

A smart and honourable move on Van de Velde’s part!

Next it was McGinley’s turn to announce his GB & I rivals to Jimenez and Larrazabal, and McGinley went for in-form Simon Dyson and Welsh rookie, Jamie Donaldson.

McGinley’s gone for a balance of experience and inexperience in the five matches with Open champion, Darren Clarke to partner David Horsey, Lee Westwood to team-up for a first time in the pro game alongside fellow Worksop Golf Club member Mark Foster.

Ian Poulter, who is contesting the event for a first time in five years, has been paired with Robert Rock.

However McGinley’s main concern is not the four rookies in his team but the three experienced players in Westwood, Clarke and Poulter.

Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin competing in his fourth Vivendi Seve Trophy. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

In many ways, McGinley’s hope of being appointed 2014 Ryder Cup captain could hinge on his efforts this week.

“The real challenge for me this week is getting the most out of my experienced players,” said McGinley.

“The last time I had all the young guys firing and they were really motivated.  But it will be a different challenge for me this week because I’ve got guys with more experience than me playing in the team.

“So that’s the challenge for me, and I’m interested to see myself how I’m going to do in that regard.

“I’m going to learn a lot about myself and it’s important for me that if I’m going to go on to do other things that I’m able to motivate the experienced players as well as the younger guys.

“How well they play will be very important to the team.  I can’t thank Ian (Poulter), Darren (Clarke) and Lee (Westwood) enough.”

But as the press conference wound down, it was Van de Velde again stealing the limelight.

He was asked to describe his style of leadership, and his response even had McGinley laughing.

“I can’t even define my style as a human being,” Van de Velde said.

“French, that’s my style. French, being French.  I am just a peasant but I take this as a great honour.

“Really, I’m the guy who brings the water to the cement to take over but I will be trying 600% to beat my good friend sitting here beside me.”