The British Open finished on Sunday with Padraig Harrington on top of the leader board. With a final of three over par, Padraig Harrington successfully defended his previous championship. There were other notable storylines at the Open. Tiger Woods was not playing. Greg Norman finished in a tie for third place. It was a surprisingly rewarding weekend for Greg Norman. He showed that a champion in his early fifties still can be competitive. His performance at the Open earned Greg Norman over a half a million dollars. It is a nice way for him to celebrate his recent wedding to Chris Evert, the former tennis star.

An intriguing story is far off the leader board. It is David Duval. He made the cut and played well, except for one day. At one time, David Duval was one of the world’s top golfers. He came to the Open ranked at 1,087th. It has been a numbing fall from the pinnacle of the sport.

David Duval was known for his efficient game management, relentless work habits and his wrap around sunglasses. He seemed distant from the galleries that followed him. Nevertheless, David Duval is introspective, perceptive and well spoken. He has been a previous winner of the British Open, in 2001. Injuries have had a devastating role in altering David Duval’s golf game. The effects of the injuries had an impact on David Duval’s swing and his ball-striking. It has been a struggle for him to regain even a semblance of his former game.

There have been times in recent years when it was questionable whether David Duval was still a touring professional. However, this weekend, there was a glimpse of what David Duval can do one a golf course. On the par 70 Royal Birkdale Golf Club, David Duval had the following rounds:

  • Day One: 73
  • Day Two: 69
  • Day Three: 83
  • Day Four: 71

With the exception of that high score on Day Three, David Duval might have been in contention. David Duval’s earnings for the Open were slight above thirty three thousand dollars. A tie for thirty ninth place is a far cry from the million and a half dollars that Padraig Harrington claimed, as the tournament winner. However, the Open showed that David Duval still can be competitive.

One can’t help but hope that David Duval can put four good rounds together on some Thursday to Sunday – and perhaps have a string of good weekends. He has struggled to regain his golf game. It would be fitting if David Duval could beat the odds and finish his playing career on his own terms. No doubt that Mr Duval believes he can.

Catherine Forsythe