Duval on the way back
Former Open champion and world number one David Duval is determined to rediscover “greatness” having gone through what many regarded as a career-ending slump.
The American won the Claret Jug in 2001 at Lytham, just up the road from this week’s venue Royal Birkdale, but almost from that moment his fortunes went into terminal decline.
He has not won a tournament since and has dropped to 1,087th in the world after giving up the sport for a while.
He has made the cut once in 12 US Tour starts this year, yet he returned a 69 today on what has to be the toughest course he has faced all season to be two over par and just three behind leader KJ Choi.
Duval has done much soul searching since his Open victory seven years ago but he now knows exactly where he wants to be – and there will be no half-measures.
“I have been expecting to play quite well for some time and not exactly knowing when that might happen but it happens to come, so far, at my favourite golf tournament,” said the 36-year-old.
“What has made it click, and what has been going on for the last year and a half, is the work I have been putting in and the time I have been using to practice and put my golf swing and head back together.
“I also haven’t sought a return to be mediocre. I know what greatness is about and I know what it takes to have greatness and I won’t settle for mediocrity.
“I have been working towards greatness, not just getting back to making cuts and managing to play half-decent.
“I have been trying to take the long, hard route and that story is yet to be told as to whether I can get back to that point but that is what I try for.”
Duval is just the latest surprise in a tournament which has been full of the unexpected and has Korean KJ Choi leading from 53-year-old two-time Open champion Greg Norman.
He was not surprised to see the media scrum which awaited him after he walked off the 18th green, such is his story of riches-to-rags to possible riches again.
“I’m very conscious of that but I can’t be on the outside looking in and cheering myself on – I certainly am internally but it doesn’t do a whole lot for my score,” he added.
“I know it’s a funny story, it’s a little different, but I’m playing a lot better than my results have shown.
“I’m very comfortable with what I want to do and I’m gaining confidence and that is one of the things I’ve had to gain last because you need a bit of success.”
