David Duval

David Duval (born November 9, 1971) in Jacksonville, Florida, is a professional golfer on the US PGA TOUR.

Related Topics:
November 9 - 1971 - Jacksonville - Florida - Golf - PGA TOUR

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Duval was the U.S. Junior Amateur champion in 1989. His pro career began in 1993, but really took off between 1997 and 2001, a period in which he won 13 PGA TOUR tournaments. For a while he carried the label, "best player never to have won a Major," but his victory in the 2001 The Open Championship put a stop to that.

Related Topics:
U.S. Junior Amateur - The Open Championship

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Other career highlights include achieving the number one spot in the Official World Golf Rankings in April, 1999, and shooting a 59 in the final round of the 1999 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. At the time, only two other golfers in PGA TOUR history, Al Geiberger and Chip Beck, had posted a 59 in competition.

Related Topics:
Official World Golf Rankings - Al Geiberger - Chip Beck

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After his Open Championship win, Duval entered a downward spiral in form that saw him drop to 80th on the money list in 2002, and 211th in 2003, prompting an extended break from the game. Numerous reasons have been postulated for the decline, including back problems, private difficulties and a form of vertigo.

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Many commentators believed Duval's career to be over, but he returned to golf in 2004 at the US Open, where he shot 25 over par and missed the cut. David has struggled since his return with his best result a T13 at the 2004 Deutsche Bank Championship. While Duval at his peak was viewed as aloof and distant and was not a fan favorite, now galleries sympathize with his plight and root for him to overcome his issues and to experience golfing enjoyment.

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