04duval;returns to;lytham
eleven years removed from his only major title,
david duval’s return to royal lytham & st. annes
hasn’t sparked a new appreciation for winning the
british open, but it has given him the occasion to
answer his own question. duval’s three-stroke victory in 2001 seemed more like a denouement than
an exclamation point to a meteoric career when he
wondered in the aftermath, “is that all there is?” He
responded wednesday, saying, “i fully understood
the magnitude of the accomplishment … that sure as
hell wasn’t all there was.” indeed, since then the once
single-minded golfer has gained a wife and family,
plus happiness and perspective. “i’m an incredibly
wealthy man,” duval, 40, said. as for his golf, fortunes
have changed. His confidence has eroded from years
of poor play and poor health. He comes into the open
with bone bruises on his knees, the latest in a series
of ailments dating to a 2000 back injury. still, duval
claims to be striking it well and is excited to be back at
lytham, especially after seeing his name on the club
board along with other winners of events held here.
“that was kind of cool. makes you feel like you’re part
of the club.”—Dave Shedloski (@daveshedloski)
warren little/r&a/r&a via getty images
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