I can still remember a time when David Duval was the number 1 golfer in the world...

I wonder if David can ever climb his way back to the top...I rememebr reading a Golf Digest article a while back about David and he seemed so content and happy with his life...he addressed all the questions about his game candidly and I found it refreshing that he showed a very human side of himself that made you feel that...the pursuit of superstardom in the golf world isn't the path to true happiness...

It was a really good article...

I read the same article and I was just going to say, I don't think it matters nearly as much to him as it once did.

I'm sure he'd love to play lights out again, but it's just not a priority to him anymore.

No...

I am the biggest DD supporter.....To many other important things in his life......But how can you blame him???? Life is not about being number 1, it is about being happy....and it truly seems like he is happy!!!!

Good for you DD

Dan

Happiness is where it's at and for Duval golf is no longer part of the equation. For a long time I thought, well he's only 34 or whatever, he could still come back in 5 years and still be in his 30's when most guys are peaking. The challenge would be that he'd have to earn it the hard way and I'm not sure he'd ever be up for that. And he's not much of a draw to get many sponsors exemptions, so I'd say he's toast as a professional golfer.

He hit a bit of a bump in the road on his comeback this year. He and his wife are having a baby, but his wife is having a difficult pregnancy and he is staying home in lieu of competitive golf in order to care for her and the other kids. IMO, it is a no-brainer. If your wife and kids need care, you put the sticks in the closet.

That being said, it is difficult as a fan to not see him playing. This was an important year for him in terms of his comeback, and he was playing well to start the season. I guess the fact that this is such an important year for him, having used his top 25 money list exemption, only emphasizes that he truly has set his priorities on his family - which is where they should be, IMO.

I have heard that he will seek a medical exemption for next year, but that the tour has not been faced with such a request (based on care of a spouse), and it is not a given that he will receive it. If not, he still has a one time, top 50 exemption to use for next year. He still has plenty of game to be competitive. At this point it is a matter of priorities, and his seem to be where they should be. As a fan, I am hopeful that he can find a balance beteween career and family. As a family man, however, I would probably not even attempt to find that balance if I were in his station in life. He has already had a tremendous golf career that can never be taken from him. Now, this is his chance to be a real difference in the life of his kids, and to spend time with his wife. He'll never have this opportunity again. Can't blame him if he walked away from the competitive game.

Unfortunately it looks like that David has pulled himself out of this year's British Open, citing personal reasons. I was looking forward to him playing again soon too.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/20...ithdrawal_N.htm

That is ok....DD was number 1 in the world....he has nothing left to prove. He got his cash and is enjoying life.....sounds pretty damn good to me.

Sidenote: If Phil lost 100 pounds he would be like 130-140ish.....that would be no good. He would be all skin and bones. That could be unhealthy.

DG

About the only time you will hear about DD is whenever TGC, NBC, or whomever starts talking about those who have shot 59. Lucky for Annika she has done a lot more. Poor Chip Beck, he doesn't even have a major on the resume like Geiberger and Duval. Still, it's awesome to shoot 59, but let's move on, there are real golfers to be followed.

So Duval is not a real golfer???

OK, let me rephrase, at the moment, there are real PGA Tour players in tournaments to follow. That doesn't preclude DD from one day trying to make another comeback. What DD does with his personal time including if he plays golf.....who cares? His best days in terms of golf are behind him. As for his best days in life, I wish him all the best. Now we can move on....

Duval has been mailing it in forever. He clearly doesn't care, and it shows. He's been "Getting his priorities straight" for 5 years.

I love DD, I still remember the 59, The Players Champion, The OPEN, and my favorite was at The County Club at Brookline, Ryder Cup. Never seen him that excited winning his singles match.

But DD is pretty much Ian Baker Finch

I remember him as a very talented player that on his day could shoot the lights out. I'd like to see him make a real comeback but think itwould be really tough to do. I'm just not sure he wants it enough for the reasons stated earlier in this thread.

No.

Nope, he's done!!!!!

He has been showing signs of improvement the last couple of years. His wife is in a bed rest condition for the remainder of he pregnancy so he has to be by her side. He has said that he wants to win tournaments again and plans on playing a full schedule by next year. I don't think he will ever be # 1 again but I do think he will contend in tournaments within the next few years.

The best medicine for all of the haters is if he wins again...That will quiet the critics for a little while...Until then, good luck DD...you are good guy and a guy that was number 1 in the world in a time where there were a tremendous amount of hall of famers...something to be proud of.....and if you get some credits here and there, that is great....good for you. There are plenty of other guys that get credit all the time for things as well....part of the entertainment machine....

On a personal note...he was good people to me at Doral when I played in the 2001 Genuity Championship...did not know me from a hole in the wall and sort of took me under his belt for a day. Knew that I was a tour newbie, and at the time was # 2 in the world....pretty awesome if you ask me......He went out of his way to help someone who he obviously knew did not know what he was doing or where he was going......something that I will remember for all of my days....he is great people in my book...not something I can say for all of the guys that I met on tour.....that is for sure...

Whether he makes it back or not.....50-50.

DG

I am a huge DD fan. I can still remember watching when he shot a 59. I even putt with my collectible DD Cameron Putter.

Just yesterday I three putted the first two greens and a single playing with us commented that the reason I did so was the DD putter 'cause DD is washed up.

Funny, as I added up my putts after the 18th hole I told the guy, hey I only had 29 putts! HAHAHA!

The putter STAYS in the bag.

Hopefully DD makes it back up near the top!

He will never return to top form...that would be EXTREMELY hard since he isn't near as motivated to play as he once was

Tiger freaked him out.