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Meanwhile, American Justin Leonard had recorded a final round 72, and he now joined Lawrie as leader in the clubhouse, on 290.
Out on the course, the drama was beginning to unfold. Despite a loose tee shot, Van de Velde was still in control, but he then put his second into the rough. Now his problems were mounting and the tournament was alive when he hacked his third into the burn.
Spectators and television viewers watched enthralled as he took off his socks and shoes, rolled up his trouser legs and prepared to try and play from the water, before sense prevailed and he took a penalty drop. In that environment, thinking clearly was almost impossible and the Frenchman eventually courageously holed a 7 foot putt - not for the victory that had looked so certain, but to join the Scot and the American in a four hole play-off.
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Pars for all three at the sixteenth left the situation unchanged, but when Lawrie and Van de Velde both made birdies at the 17th, the home favourite was now a shot clear of his rivals.
The pressure was now on Lawrie as he played the final hole, but he showed no sign of the strain as he produced another fine birdie to ensure that he became the first Scotsman to win Open in his native country since Tommy Armour's success at the same venue in 1931.
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