David Duval: Can He Make A Comeback?

[RX Phoenix]

It's do or die time for Duval.

He was starting to play well last year before his wife's difficult pregnancy had him call it quits for the year.

Now he's going to go all out this year with no distractions and try and make the top 125 . . . what do you think will happen?

IMO he will get his card for 2009, his age is no issue, and showed last year he could get the desire back. I saw flashes of his old brilliance last year and there was a steady progression, it looked promising.

Duval is the one guy who I wouldn't bet against because he is a golfing genius and seems to be able to get in a zone where he is just unconscious and can do no wrong. He has extreme powers of concentration, the problem is that when he got distracted his game fell apart, he plays golf in his mind more than anyone, so his mind has to be right. If it is he will be able to succeed once again. I hope he does because when he's on its great to watch.

[gogolfing]

I voted number 2. I like DD, but I think the fire is gone. He is set financially, has his personal life in order, and I don't see him inside the top 125 this year. Too bad, and I hope he proves me wrong, but from what I've seen the last few years, I don't see it happening.

[neudi]

I see him doing well this year, his back has finally healed correctly, his personally life is back in order and now he will begin to focus 140 percent on golf again, I voted he will get his card, but I think he might get a victory sometime this year too...we'll see.

[RX Phoenix]

Just took a trip down memory lane and relived DD's career, including a shot by shot recounting of the final round 59 at PGA West Palmer and it brought back the realization of just how great a game he once had, World #1 and favored to win most weeks.

In the Charlie Rose interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PcTQ-k1Y3A he mentions that 'desire' is his key element to playing well, he has to really want to play the tournament, and if he does then he will play well.

He grew up around golf and had played extensively most of his life, so maybe he did get burned out and wanted to experience life in other ways. The question is, can one ever recapture that intense desire once it has slipped away, I hope this time next year we can answer in the affirmative, should be an interesting storyline for 2008.

[TourSpoon]

I remember seeing him at Doral back in the day. I hope he does well.

[ripsid]

I always liked DD, he was everything I wasn't on the course...cool and calm, and I enveyed that. I hope he can comeback and play to the level he did before, because someone needs to push tiger!

IMO, he will linger around 95 or so in the world, finish top 15 in 1 major (that will be his highlight) and just be a regular player, maybe get close in the later battle for the card events. THis is if his back holds up and personal life doesn't screw him up..

SiD

[TCCcaddie]

I really hopes he comes back and gets some top ten finishes this year. Duval has always been my favorite tour player since i was a kid and i hope he comes back from whatever has been bothering him.

[Bluenoser67]

Done like dinner. Duval is a headcase.

[Cole]

I hope he does. I like his style of play.

[albatroz]

DD Had his best games long ago . Now he has to scratch and claw his way back to his old form . If he can find the inner fire that gave him the number 1 spot years ago im sure he can still win . The only factor that i see holding him back is himself . Like Tiger no one can beat him except himself .

[redi630]

I hope he does well.

[RX Phoenix]

The comeback starts 1/16/08 at the Hope Crysler Classic, he tees off at 10AM at La Quinta Country Club with 3 amateurs. He claims his game is solid and ready to go. We'll find out a lot this week which Duval we're going to see this year.

It won't be easy making the cut because there are always these 'country club pros' who go on birdie binges on the desert courses, so you have to shoot low scores here, not just play well tee to green.

This year the rotation will be a tough one, with the final round at the Classic Club which can be brutal when the wind blows, La Quinta Country Club isn't tough for the pros, but then there is the newcomer, SilverRock which is very long, and the Palmer PGA West course where DD shot 59, but is not an easy course. Bermuda Dunes is out of the rotation this year.

The field isn't strong, but someone will go low as always at the Hope. Very difficult to predict a winner . . . maybe Parnevik wins again?

I say DD is around the cut line, maybe missing the cut but playing fairly well.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

Well I guess we need to define comeback. Can he compete in some tournaments and play better than he has in past years? I think so... before his medical leave last year he did show some signs of life. The problem with him is consistancy. If you look at the leaderboard I can't tell you how many times I saw him at -3 or -4 making the turn and just when you think he's making a big run he throws a couple of doubles in there. He can still make the birdies but he needs to limit the damage a little better. But I don't think he can approach the level he once was. Not that kind of comeback. That was just too long ago and we haven't seen anything from him to indicate reaching that kind of level is possible. I say he plays OK and hangs around the top 125 for a while. I, much like everyone else here, decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and voted that he'd get his card for 2009. Like him or not he's a fan favorite so I really hope he does earn his card.

[Lost Ball]

Lost Ball says doubtful.

Wouldn't shock Lost Ball to see him do well in 1-2-3 tournaments here or there but we have probably heard the last of him in terms of coming close to a major victory

[RX Phoenix]

Duval starts out the Hope at the back of the pack with a +1, that's the highest score on the La Quinta Country Club course of any pro . . . so although he didn't blow up and it is his 1st round of the year, he wasn't able to take advantage of the scoring conditions.

Doesn't look promising for him to make the cut here, but at least he didn't shoot a 76, his game is steady if not sharp.

[Titleist916]

duval is pretty much in LAST place right now. at 5 over. if i were to base my judgement on how he does the rest of the year by his play at the hope as of right now..id say he would not play well and miss out on his tour card.

[darktone]

I would like to see him do well but I think he is near the bottom at the Bob Hope. If he finishes over par at this event he is in for a rough year.

[Parker0065]

I think he's done!


When I hear his interview it sounds like someone who wants the trophies, but is not willing to sacrifice everything for them. The guy just seems like too much of a family man to be roaming all over the country and world chasing golfing glory! The fact is family gets sacrificed to some degree for these players and it doesn't seem like Duval has that in him anymore.


Maybe he could get a local job selling Insurance where he can be home seven nights a week! I'm sure if he invested his prior winnings wisely his family should be set for life anyways.


Good luck to Duval wherever he ends up!!