David Duval: Can He Make A Comeback?

[RichF]

...it's difficult to know how much Duval has made from golf, but I would conservatively estimate it to be in the region of about

Well he's earnt just under $17 million in his

career from tournaments alone , and being as he's not as high-profile, globally, in the way of Woods, Mickelson, Garcia, Els, etc, I'm wondering where you got the remaining $103 million from.

[BASHERBAKER69]

....Duval has received $20mn from his deal with Nike alone, so add that to his career winnings of $17mn and that's $37mn already.

He was with Titleist before that, along with Tommy Hilfiger, and Oakley over a number of years before this (there were other sponsors). We need to take in to account appearance fees and bonuses (winning the Open Championship), and also any private investments so the figure must be approaching at least $100mn. In his World Number 1 period he must have been earning in the region of $30 mn a year.

[RichF]

....Duval has received $20mn from his deal with Nike alone, so add that to his career winnings of $17mn and that's $37mn already.

That'll do it.

[bobsuruncle]

It's sad to see a No. 1 player in the world "lose it" completely. Anyway, I think his heart isn't in golf anymore. He doesn't know what else to do, so he starts playing again, and his results show his heart isn't in it anymore. Sad, sad, ...

At least he doesn't need the money. On the plus side, that should free him from worrying about where his next meal is coming from and actually help his focus on golf. Imagine if you were between 126-150 in ranking and worrying about your card, etc. That kind of pressure will screw you up after a while.

[AmenCorner]

It seems to me that David is just going through the motions. I think he has lost the desire to play at the highest level. He's got a happy home life and enjoys spending time away from the course obviously. He's got more money than he probably needs, and I don't think he's willing to commit to the long hours and lonely lifestyle that is life on the PGA Tour. I would love to see him at the top of the game again, but I just don't think he really cares that much.

I would venture to say that if David is playing in the Texas Valero Open, he cares about the game and wants to win. If I was a guy who was playing as badly as he has been for the last number of years, who had tons of money and a great home life, I wouldn't be subjecting myself to missing cuts on a weekly basis unless I REALLY wanted to get good again.

[mantasport]

I love David Duval and all, BUT he's done. Sorry to say, but it's over for him and that's too bad. He should take up Bridge.

[albatross]

It's sad because I really want to see him contend again but I don't think it's going to happen. He's got too much ground to make up and the talent is just getting deeper and deeper on tour.

He had his time, but it's passed.

[lumpuckeroo]

I will always root for him to do well, but I think his time has passed.

[GDWindowpane]

and 12 years away from the champions tour...

[#35]

Yep, he's finished. Flash in the pan.

[opie]

That flash in the pan is 5 under through the front 9 at The Memorial. I think if he gets his short game together he can win again

[saltman]

That flash in the pan is 5 under through the front 9 at The Memorial. I think if he gets his short game together he can win again

I don't think its his short game that has let him down. He has problems with driving accuracy.

[Elvisliveson]

I don't know, as he's a guy who always lived by his impeccable ball-striking, rather than his short game abilities. The Golf Channel was talking about players like Tiger and Natalie Gulbis coming off long injury layoffs, hitting the ball all over the place but still contending (and in Tiger's case winning once) because they chip and putt like nobody's business. John Daly to an extent too. He's bomber rather than a ball-striker so he's not concerned with precision like Duval and he still has that great touch around the greens.

[opie]

Haha.. the minute I say something.. LOL. I'm a Duval fan but he's gone bogey, par, double in his last 3

[Trav]

Yep, he's finished. Flash in the pan.

I agree he is probably finished, but winning 13 PGA titles in 4 years, including a major, and hitting No. 1 in the world, is not, in my book, a "flash."

[patmoran2006]

I agree he is probably finished, but winning 13 PGA titles in 4 years, including a major, and hitting No. 1 in the world, is not, in my book, a "flash."

its nice to see him play a good round today for sure.

[BASHERBAKER69]

Duval's got some game still...5 under for 9, thats pretty impressive...finished 1 under though.

He can be a top 20 player again I feel, he just needs to be patient, eat the right food, work on his driving consistency, and realise that he can still play.

It will take some time but in a year or two, he will be there.

Ive noticed that he usually does well at the British Open, which leads me to think that he is not always too enthusiastic about playing in the smaller events.

Every player on tour has a good round in them (re Ian Baker Finch last week), but it is another thing altogether to string 4 consecutive rounds together.

[BASHERBAKER69]

Duval makes the cut comfortably in a top tier PGA Tour event with Tiger in the field....perhaps he's turning the corner?