David Duval - 2009

[HoosierGolfer]

Sadly, as a Duval fan, I don't see a miraculous return to major-winning form for Duval; which is a shame because in his prime he was one of the best ball strikers and players out there and for me has been the only serious rival to Woods' brilliance in the last decade or so.

 

I don't think it's beyond the realms of fantasy that he'll regain some semblance of form, perhaps even to a level where he seriously contends on a reasonably frequent basis again or wins a tournament or two, but I don't see another Open Championship in his future, sadly.

 

What's remarkable to me (as it was in Sandy Lyle's case, and even in Seve's) was why he had such a catastrophic loss of form. I know his radical changes in body shape were mooted as a possible reason but he played his best golf after hitting the weights and losing some of the lard, even if he did begin to pick up annoyingly niggling injuries afterwards. That said, Duval's swing always looked like one that could run into problems to my untrained eye. A strong grip and everything else, that was red hot when running on all four cylinders, but always had the potential to go a bit wonky.

 

Fingers crossed for the lad, and no doubt the regular 'Duval's Back!' threads will continue unabated every time he hits a few fairways and breaks 70, but I'm not having a flutter for next years' Masters or for Turnberry.

Could not have said it better! I'm also a fan of David's and would love to see him back in the mix. His swing and follow through is super and I love his full turn finish.

It would be great to see him playing well but only time will tell if he can dig down and find something that was lost long ago.

[CStanford]

I say he's washed up, but don't take that to mean that I wished that he was not.

[BabyFAcedAssassin]

interesting to read was that in the GD survey this month 1 in 5 tour players feel he will win again.

 

take it from those closest to him.

[Stenson]

It's funny how a man who was world number one and a major winner can just become the golfer he is now. It shows how much of this game really is mental now that he is struggling to stay on tour.

[fredstar]

He will NEVER return to near the level he was once at. I predict 1 top ten for the year.

[pickerjohn]

Having watched DD's struggles and reading all the posts, I was too perplexed

to even respond. I've kind of just sat back and wished for a return to form

without a clue as to what the problem might be. Then I listened to TW talking

about when he might be back, and he says when he feels ready to win, as in,

I'm not going to play till I feel mentally and physically ready to win the tournament.

I take this to mean, I'm not playing my way back into shape, I'm practiceing my

way back. I know DD was away much longer than Tiger, but maybe this same approach would

have been better. Its like the more he plays medicore, the more medicore he becomes.

Good luck to him, but I'm not optimistic.

[ericld]

It's mental with DD, which is worse than it being a swing problem.

 

He played in the pairing in front of me last week at my club and he was hitting the ball beautifully. He's the real deal, just needs to clear the head. Try less hard.

[Ace In The Hole]

My guess.

 

Duval never again win's a PGA Tourney, has a handful of top 20's, loses his exempt status after this year and never regains full exempt status on the PGA Tour. He was a great golfer, but I think a combination of time away, and lack of desire has finished him as a golfer who could break the top 50 in world rankings. You have to remember that when Duval was #1 in the world he was a friggen robot, and it totally ruined his personal life, I don't think he ever wants to go back to that even if that means he won't be as successful of a golfer.

 

Here is to hopeing he proves me wrong, I never want to wish any bad luck on someone.

[floyd]

I really hate to say this and really hope I'm wrong but I think he is washed up.

[Ronzo]

Having watched DD's struggles and reading all the posts, I was too perplexed

to even respond. I've kind of just sat back and wished for a return to form

without a clue as to what the problem might be. Then I listened to TW talking

about when he might be back, and he says when he feels ready to win, as in,

I'm not going to play till I feel mentally and physically ready to win the tournament.

I take this to mean, I'm not playing my way back into shape, I'm practiceing my

way back. I know DD was away much longer than Tiger, but maybe this same approach would

have been better. Its like the more he plays medicore, the more medicore he becomes.

Good luck to him, but I'm not optimistic.

 

Spot on post, IMO. Tiger understands that mediocrity begets mediocrity; mediocrity becomes the expectation, and that prophesy self-fulfills. Tiger saying he will return when he is ready to win puts pressure on him the first Tour event he plays, but that is pressure he has lived with before and handled successfully.

 

I may be wrong, but I think you will see Tiger return with a vengeance for just that reason. The indicator for me was when he acknowledged that there were new young guns on Tour now, but then said, "Most of their success has come when I wasn't there." The perfect winning attitude, IMO.

[Plan9]

Done, with a capital DONE

[dd4p12]

DD will be back.........When Duval comes to the Stanford in Memphis, im gonna see if he wants to stay at my house. (i only live 2 miles from TPC Southwind and have played there before and i know his e-mail)

[GaijinGolfer]

IMO, he is washed up.

[slice_oftheday]

I love nothing more than veterans, so I wish Duval the best in 09.

[dlygrisse]

When DD was in his prime he had a very strong grip with a nice rotary action that allowd him to pure long strong power fades all day long. He was probably the best driver on tour in terms of a combination of distance and accuracy and a great iron player. He was also a really good putter and made tons of 10 to 20 foot putts which he had plenty of opportunities to make. His short game was a little inconsistent and I dont think he relished hitting all the creative greenside shots Tiger is so good at. His game was actually somehat similar to Nicklaus's although his techique was a little different. For Duval to make a comeback he is going to have to regain confidence in his driver, he will never win hitting it like Tiger, his forte is not scrambling but controlled power, he will also have to have confidence in his putter. the real thing he is going to have to overcome his the 6 inches between his ears, his has to have drive, passion and regain his confidence. I do not know what is goin gone in his head, I question whether he really wants it again, if he does decide he wants it, then I predict he might do enough to make the top 125 and make the tour next year, but I would be suprised if we ever saw him again if he does not. I dont think DD's goals were ever similar to Tigers, he is an interesting character, a former great player but my gut tells me we have seen his best golf.

[3whacker]

DD has some inner demons that he needs to control or exorcise, its not his golf swing, when he was hot that golf swing held up in the heat of battle.the problem is between his ears. I hope he can make it back, when he was on he could go way low and feared very few if any...

[elmejor]

i am 100% sure that he will have a top 125 finish by the end of 2009.

[MrMom]

i am 100% sure that he will have a top 125 finish by the end of 2009.

I am not a sure as stated above, but I still have not jumped off the wagon just yet. I will always be pulling for him. I hope it is true he is finally healthy and he can just work on the confidence.

[TheNatural72]

Double D has started out with a bogie ... +1 already :o

[SteelPride]

That was an AWFUL birdie putt he just had...

 

It was like he didnt watch Rich Beem's putt break at all.

 

UGH.

[cbaehman1]

I will be pulling for him hard as always! I can understand why people think he's washed up but what I admire most is his "hogan like" demeanor on the course. Hopefully he can somehow fight these inner demons and get his confidence back. That 59 he shot was sick, prob one of the best rounds ever even though it was on a pitch and putt.

[Slowpoke]

My dream scenario for him: He overtakes Tiger on Sunday at Augusta and beats him by 4 strokes shooting a final day 58.

Thats the only way people will recognize the talent he has and hasn't been able to show because of off the course problems. Injuries, vertigo, LIFE, etc...

Plus I dig the late 90's wrap around Oakleys he still sports.

 

Reality: I'd really like to see him contend in several consecutive tournaments this year, and make the cut in every major

[Viking Golfer]

The man is gone - but I like seeing him play once in a while. He seems to be a relaxed guy with a nice attitude towards the game of golf.

 

I like him :)

[Milo]

Krusty - Unfortunately, I can certainly understand while you feel that way and you are not alone.

 

However, I am hopeful for a top 125 finish at the end of 2009 as he will be out of exemptions at year's end. I just think it is a better Tour when DD is playing well and competing.

 

Im not sure how DD makes it a better Tour. Im not sure why everyone feels sorry for DD, he IS in the top 50 career $$$. Im sure he's not sitting at home crying.... lol If he does trim down, and get in better shape, he may pickup some confidence in his game along the way.

 

I don't feel sorry for him at all. Hell, he's made 16 Million dollars playing golf and about 7 Million more in endorsements - Nike, Oakley, Momentus, well mostly Nike...

 

He plays better with the weight on and actually has stayed healthier with the weight as well. He could probably loose about 15 pounds though as he currently does appear to be at his heaviest state.

 

7m in endorsements? Where did you get that figure? He earned 24m+ from Nike alone.

[Hondabuff]

-100 Rep points for starting another David Duval Post. He is fat from living off of the Nike endorsement money and he cant snow borad worth a crap either. Used to be my all time favorite player......8 years ago....let it go....PLEASE!

[banno01991]

I hope he comes good again, hopefully he can find it - I'll always remember him for the 59 and the open win and he is a true gent

[golfortennis]

Made the cut this week at Pebble Beach.....good start. I hope he can keep his card for next year. I think his days of top 10 in the world are gone, but I think he can get into all the majors still.

[InspiredGolf]

Made the cut this week at Pebble Beach.....good start. I hope he can keep his card for next year. I think his days of top 10 in the world are gone, but I think he can get into all the majors still.

 

Yeah, nice 33 on the back at Poppy Hills to make the cut. Isn't Poppy the most difficult of the three courses? Think I heard a commentator say that.

Had a good showing at the Hope even though he missed the cut by one stroke(-14 I think). Good to see him shooting under par again. Hopefully he will have a good year.

I am going to walk with him at Rivera next week to see how he is hitting it.

[TheNatural72]

Just thought I would Keep the Duval Thread going with my weekly support of Double D. Fought hard today and got it back to 1 under. :clapping:

[Swingie]

Ifsomeone like Charlie Wi can whup his arse on a weekly basis no doubt, then this is a dead topic....just pour out some of your 40oz before you drink it and let the man rest in peace people