Duval gets some practice in at Troon

Any suspicion that David Duval might decide to withdraw from the British Open was removed today when he not only showed up at Troon but was out on the course practising.

The troubled 2001 champion, now a lowly 490th in the world rankings, played his first event since last November at the US Open last month – and after he had finished next-to-last with rounds of 83 and 82, there were those who thought he could quit golf again.

But Duval flew in with his father Bob last night and linked up today with fellow Americans Brad Faxon, Jay Haas and Davis Love.

At Shinnecock Hills the 32-year-old, “in and out of tears” once he had decided to play only the previous weekend, waited until Wednesday afternoon to reveal to the public what shape he was in – and hit a spectator with his very first shot.

Even though he did not find the fairway again with an iron off the first tee, he was in more relaxed mood this time – even dabbling with a belly putter on the practice green before teeing off.

“I have not figured out whether I need a bigger belly or a longer putter, but it’s more fun to work on the belly part,” he joked.

According to his father, himself a member of the US Seniors Tour, Duval is planning “three to five” more events this year – including one where they will be partners – and is feeling better all the time.

The former world number one suffered a series of injuries after his triumph at Lytham and then fell out of love with the life of a professional golfer as well.

During his lay-off, however, he moved to Denver and married.

“I feel like I’ve finally found home. I can’t say it any more simply other than I’ve just found where I’m supposed to be,” he said.

His father added: “I felt just as proud of him at Shinnecock as I did when he won the British Open – just because he went out there on the hardest course in the world.”

Duval, the last player to knock Tiger Woods off the top of the world rankings (in 1999), made just four halfway cuts in 20 starts on the US Tour last year.

It was at Troon seven years ago that 1991 champion Ian Baker-Finch tried to re-launch his career – and shot 92. He did not even play the second round.

While Duval discovers whether he has any chance of coping with the demands of the Ayrshire links, Love appears to be battling with a recurrence of back trouble.