The Rise and Fall of David Duval
Hello. Congratulations to Team Canada for making it to the final with an 8-2 win over Scotland. Canada will play Norway, USA or Scotland on Sunday.
Remeber who was the #1 golfer prior to Tiger and Vijay? It was David Duval. In 1999 we was on top of the World Golf Rankings. In 2001 he won his first major, the British Open. He came close a couple of times to winning the Masters. He's in his early 30s now, supposedly the prime of his career.
Where is he today? Right now with one hole to go he's in 85th place in a field of 90. Two of the 5 players behind him are amateurs. One is former Masters champion Charles Coody, who at 68 years old shot a tremendous 74 after 89 the first round. Another is former champ Sandy Lyle, who hasn't been competitive in a while. The final one is Charles Howell III, who's days of unlimited potential may be over.
What happened to David Duval may be unparalleled in sports. I canot recall anyone going from the absolute top of the heap to so low so quickly. Vertigo, injuries and personal problems all had an effect. Golf is such a demanding and fickle game anyone could lose it after any of those things.
Time is now an enemy of Duval. His 5 year exemption for winning the British Open is about to run out. He must finish in the top 125 this year on the money list, or else it's back to Q School.
In the state he's in, I'm not sure if he'd even try if he had to go back. Right now, he may consider hanging them up for good. IF he does go on, the road is going to be tough.
One thing I do admire about Duval is his total honesty when answering a question. He and Stephen Ames are a refreshing change from politically correct quotes from Tiger Woods and other bland interviews. If he is asked about his future, I'm sure he'll have a good answer.
All the best David in whatever you choose to do. Hopefully you'll be able to focus on the great years you had.
Regards,
Steve
Remeber who was the #1 golfer prior to Tiger and Vijay? It was David Duval. In 1999 we was on top of the World Golf Rankings. In 2001 he won his first major, the British Open. He came close a couple of times to winning the Masters. He's in his early 30s now, supposedly the prime of his career.
Where is he today? Right now with one hole to go he's in 85th place in a field of 90. Two of the 5 players behind him are amateurs. One is former Masters champion Charles Coody, who at 68 years old shot a tremendous 74 after 89 the first round. Another is former champ Sandy Lyle, who hasn't been competitive in a while. The final one is Charles Howell III, who's days of unlimited potential may be over.
What happened to David Duval may be unparalleled in sports. I canot recall anyone going from the absolute top of the heap to so low so quickly. Vertigo, injuries and personal problems all had an effect. Golf is such a demanding and fickle game anyone could lose it after any of those things.
Time is now an enemy of Duval. His 5 year exemption for winning the British Open is about to run out. He must finish in the top 125 this year on the money list, or else it's back to Q School.
In the state he's in, I'm not sure if he'd even try if he had to go back. Right now, he may consider hanging them up for good. IF he does go on, the road is going to be tough.
One thing I do admire about Duval is his total honesty when answering a question. He and Stephen Ames are a refreshing change from politically correct quotes from Tiger Woods and other bland interviews. If he is asked about his future, I'm sure he'll have a good answer.
All the best David in whatever you choose to do. Hopefully you'll be able to focus on the great years you had.
Regards,
Steve
posted by Irrelevant at 1:03 PM
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