Duval can now see Woods from the trees

FIVE years ago at the PGA Championship, they were No. 1 and No. 2 in the world. It was the last time Tiger Woods was chasing anyone in the world rankings.

Last week, he was guiding David Duval around the front nine at Whistling Straits during a practice round at the PGA Championship. Woods had his left hand around Duval's shoulder, and with his right hand pointed the grip of his driver in the direction of the fourth fairway, located somewhere beyond a million bunkers.

It was the first time they had played together since the first two rounds of the Nissan Open last year at Riviera, back when Duval's demise was only a rumour.

"As far as the way he's playing, I think he's on the right track," said Woods. "He's hitting some golf shots now that are solid, they are controlled. And the cool thing about him, you could see the excitement level is back.

"He will get back," said Woods. "There's no doubt about it."

There have been plenty of reasons to doubt Duval would return to the level that brought him 13 victories, including The Players Championship in 1999 that took him to No. 1 in the world, and a British Open title in 2001 that cemented his status as one of the best in the game.

But there was something different about Duval around Whistling Straits. His tee shots were long and relatively straight. The applause he heard was from fans impressed by shots that stopped close to the pin.

He plans to play in the Deutsche Bank Championship outside Boston and probably the Canadian Open the following week. Duval wants to play three more times the rest of the season, then resume a full schedule next year.

"As I stand right now, I think I can win tournaments," he said.