Friday, April 7
By Bob Harig
Special to ESPN Golf Online
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- David Duval looks like he could use something to eat. He
is also hungry for a victory.
|  | | David Duval's 65 was the best round in any major in his career. |
Although the two are not related, it is interesting to note that the former No. 1-ranked golfer in the world has not won a
tournament since embarking on a rigorous training regimen that includes a healthier diet.
But really, Duval's winless streak proceeded the fitness program that has given him a new look.
Much more has changed for Duval since he came to Augusta National Golf Club a year ago.
He no longer is the No. 1 player in the world, no longer the pre-tournament favorite to win The Masters, no longer the hottest
story in golf.
But here he is, leading through 36 holes, shooting a 65, the best score of the tournament by two shots, firing a 30 on the back nine
that included four birdies and an eagle on the final six holes.
"It's been awhile," Duval said Friday after taking a one-shot lead over Vijay
Singh, Ernie Els and Phil
Mickelson. "But that's a lot of what I've been talking about hoping to accomplish. I've had one goal for awhile, and that's to be
leading when we're done on Sunday afternoon."
Duval, 28, might be the most anonymous No. 2 the game has seen in some time. Tiger Woods and his 10 victories in 17 PGA Tour events is putting many players
in the background.
That doesn't mean Duval thought less of his chances to win this week. Quite the contrary.
"I don't know if I'm considered a favorite or not, but my intentions are to win the golf tournament," he said on the eve of The
Masters.
And yet, he has failed to win a tournament since the BellSouth Classic last April, an 0-for-22 stretch that has plenty of people
wondering if he is a legitimate challenger to Woods.
"I think you can become a victim of expectations," said Duval, who had won 11 times in 34 tournaments heading into last year's
Masters, including consecutive tournaments. "But if you don't win like once a month or something, they think you're playing badly,
and that's just absurd."
By most standards, Duval's year has been fine. He is seventh on the PGA Tour money list with $1,006,205 and is tied for second
in greens in regulation, averaging 73.8 percent. He is also third behind Hal
Sutton and Woods in ball-striking, a new statistic that combines driving distance and accuracy.
But compared to a year ago at this time, it pales. Duval had won four tournaments entering The Masters, the first time that had
happened since Johnny Miller in 1974.
Included in that victory streak was a 26-under-par effort at the season-opening Mercedes Championships, a record-tying
final-round 59 to win the Bob Hope Classic, and the supplanting of Woods as the No. 1-ranked player in the world.
Even after the victories ended, Duval tied for sixth at The Masters, held the 36-hole lead at the U.S. Open and finished the season
with a 69.17 scoring average. Many players would love to have such a slump.
"I believe the reason I didn't win golf tournaments in the second half of the year last year was probably because I scheduled
myself poorly," Duval said. "That's what I have to work on."
Duval will also admit that his putting has needed work. A year ago, he led the tour with a 1.677 average number of putts per green
hit in regulation. This year, he's a fraction off at 1.765. But that's tied for 56th.
"Everyone thinks I was playing poorly this year starting out, which I didn't think was the case," Duval said. "I simply wasn't making
the putts. In the offseason I usually spend a ton of time hitting a lot of wedges; this past year, I didn't have that opportunity
because I ended last year playing poorly. I needed to work on my long game, so that took up 95 percent of my time. I didn't get
the time to practice my short game, and that has hurt me this year, clearly has hurt me."
For what it's worth, Duval is not alarmed. The fitness program has helped, not hindered, his game. And he's actually been trying to
peak for this time of year.
"I just wanted to be ready to play when I arrived here," Duval said.
So far, his plan is working.
Bob Harig, who covers golf for the St. Petersburg Times, writes a column every Tuesday for ESPN Golf Online. |  |
