Duval sheds choker tag to win British Open

LYTHAM, JULY 23. David Duval is no longer the ``nearly man'' of American golf thanks to his three stroke victory in the British Open.

A string of last-day collapses at the Majors, notably in four straight Masters, had left him with a reputation of being a choker, a gifted ball-striker who could not withstand the pressure of golf at the top.

But, with good friend and nemesis Tiger Woods out of the equation early at Royal Lytham and St. Annes, the 29-year-old Duval took up the American challenge against European stars. That he won so comfortably in the end bears testimony to his nerves and his potential to meet his stated aim of winning more Grand Slam titles.

``I sure hope so,'' he said. ``I would hope that happens. I think that happened for me with winning on the regular tour. It doesn't make it physically easier, but it might do psychologically. You know for yourself what it takes and what the feelings are''.

``Some people have written that I had an arm in the green jacket (Masters) in the past and it hasn't worked out. ``I felt a lot more calm this week and today than I did in 1998 and maybe more so than I did at Augusta this year''.

``You know, you get four chances a year (at the Majors) and you have to have a lot of things go right those weeks to even get into a position to win the golf tournament,'' Duval said.

Duval has always suffered from the comparison to Woods whose flashing smile and pumping fists have helped to make him arguably the most recognised and idolised face in world sport.

In contrast, Duval cuts a cold, calculating figure on the course with his neat outfits, trademark wrap-around sun glasses and poker face. What many people do not appreciate is that he has little choice but to wear the shades as he suffers from an eye stigma which makes him hyper-sensitive to light.

Duval, whose father was a touring pro, spent several years on the US PGA circuit before he started winning tournaments in 1997. In the next two years, he burst to the forefront and in 1999 he briefly dethroned Woods atop the world rankings as he played the best golf of his life including one memorable round of 59 at the Bob Hope Classic.

But his form slumped with a succession of injuries and he missed six weeks of the 2000 season. He won on his return at the Buick Classic and then partnered Woods to a US victory in the World Cup in Buenos Aires in December.

But the tag of choker came back to haunt him again at this year's Masters when an otherwise brilliant final round was marred by two missed putts down the stretch which cleared the way for Woods' second green jacket.

Now he has cast aside the unfortunate mantle of ``best player not to have won a major'' leaving the burden to Colin Montgomerie and Phil Mickelson and Duval can at last smile as he works.

``You can argue if Tiger is the best player ever or the best player of the generation, whatever it may be. ``But all I know is I beat him. Time will tell. You know I beat them all this week and I played really good. It feels wonderful.'' - AFP

A WELCOME ONE: American David Duval smiles as he holds the trophy after winning the British Open golf tournament at the Royal Lytham and

St. Annes golf course in England on Sunday.

- AP

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