What really happened to David Duvall?

[Scott_Tee]

What really happened to David Duvall? Did he have a nervous breakdown? Why did his game go to poo?

[BASHERBAKER69]

Its not uncommon for once great players to lose their way- Ian Baker Finch, Seve Ballesteros are in the same category as Duval. Also, it is not uncommon for people to have breakdowns- they often recover well. Its just in professional sport, peoples' problems are broadcasted to the whole world.

I do not know whether Duval has had a 'breakdown'- he can still play but has 2 or 3 bad holes per round, causing him to miss the cut. There are rumours of drug abuse, especially cocaine, which has caused him to lose his way but these are largely just rumours- and if he had been doing this, im sure hed want to keep it to himself. The main thing with Duval is that hes a private person and is not willing to share his experience which is fair enough. My feeling is that once he reached the top of his game and professional golf he realised that it wasnt what he thought it would be-ie the place is not as rarified as he had initially imagined. Hes made enough money, has a nice adopted family and a new wife and now his priorities in life have changed. I believe that DD is now done and dusted- he finished virtually dead last in the last tournament. Perhaps DD might want to have a go on the Nationwide tour and get some playing under his belt. Hes still very young so im not sure what he'll do if he quits professional golf completely.

[Ben]

I'd heard he's been suffering from Vertigo...

[RX Phoenix]

He was so good that he really couldn't stay at that level, and like some music virtuoso, playing just average isn't in his makeup. He's not a grinder, he played inspired golf and for whatever reasons the inspiration left him and it's probably not coming back so he's done. In some ways he was the best I've ever seen, there were times when he elevated the game of golf to some very rarified place, almost mind over matter.

Sunday, 18th at Palmer PGA West, 12 under for the day, rips a drive center cut and long, 205 to the flag, 5 iron laser hits and rolls pin high 10' for eagle. Drops the putt dead center . . . 59 and wins by a stoke. That's what he had in him, that's what he expected of himself.

[Elsfan]

Rumor has it he joined the sand trap.

[golfchief]

Don't really have an idea whats wrong with him but he sure has put on alot of weight. He used to be trim and fit when he was on top.

[BallStriker]

Here is my take on Duval -- note that I have no solid facts, but my opinion nonetheless:

I believe there is validity to the vertigo issue and I also think he has suffered from back problems. Duval's swing is highly reliant of great timing -- thus, anything that may impact his balance (vertigo) would have a huge affect. Also, swing changes required by a bad back also have had an impact.

I also believe Duval has some internal demons he has battled since childhood (e.g., his brother died at a very young age). That has (I believe) led to complacency in recent years and has simply not put his heart and sould into regaining form as much as coming to terms with the cards he has been dealt in his personal life (there is also a much spoken about break-up with his finace that was rough on him).

Yes, people deal with adversity in different ways and maybe some others have faced similar situations and not let them affect them as much -- this does nothing to diminish my respect for Duval one bit. A man needs to do what he needs to do to wake up with a smile on his face -- being at the top of golf didn't solve all of Duval's problems. Kudos to him for puting golf second to his mental well being.

I have a lot of respect for Duval and the fact is that he has taken care of his money and is set for life -- if he never makes another cut, I will always have very much respect for him.

My 2 cents

[bflat450]

Who knows what really could've happened. Maybe he doesn't even know what happened to himself. It's possible he just had a hot streak for a while, but his average golf can't hold up on tour, and he can't back into that groove he was once in.

[AmenCorner]

I don't know much about David Duval, but I'd like to address one thing that I've heard more than once on this forum. "He's not that bad, he only has 2-3 bad holes per round."

So basically you are saying that 12-18% of the time, he sucks badly. This to me doesn't mitigate the fact that he is playing horrible golf. I'm an 8 handicap, and if it weren't for 2-3 holes per round, I'd be a scratch. I'm not trying to hate on David one bit, I am truly rooting for the guy. But I've seen this statement more than once, and I think it doesn't make his situation seem any better than it actually is, which is "desperate."

[MSDOGS1976]

I'd heard he's been suffering from Vertigo...

Hasen't affected his appetite.

[BallStriker]

I don't know much about David Duval, but I'd like to address one thing that I've heard more than once on this forum. "He's not that bad, he only has 2-3 bad holes per round."

Agree 100%....Was it Nick Faldo that said "Golf is about the quality of your bad shots, not your good."

[allin]

Agree 100%....Was it Nick Faldo that said "Golf is about the quality of your bad shots, not your good."

Your right, but its the good shots that give us the rush that keeps us addicted.

[Richie3Jack]

I'd really like to see video of Duval's old swing versus the one he's got now. It's almost definite that there's things in his golf swing now that are not the same as they were back when he was on top of the world. He's still putting fine, but his accuracy is completely shot.

I know the vertigo doesn't help. A friend of mine had that and it's an absolutely crappy disease to catch. But by now he should be well past that. I think the vertigo played a role and he was a big weight lifter, which kills flexibility which is paramount to great golf. So I really believe he's not getting in the same positions in the golf swing as he used and there's reasons for it, but until I see video tape I can't be sure of it.




3JACK