David Duval could have hardly picked a tougher stage for his comeback after seven months out than the 2004 US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
Duval had perhaps the most intriguing career of any male player who reached world number one. There was a time when he looked destined to be Tiger Woods’ biggest rival.
He reached the summit of the world rankings on two occasions in 1999. That was also the year that he became the first player to post a 59 in the final round of a PGA Tour event on his way to winning the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.
Duval’s one major victory came at The Open Championship in 2001. However, he had only won once in the previous two years heading to Royal Lytham.
By the time he arrived for the US Open in 2004, Duval was 434th in the world rankings.
How David Duval performed on his comeback at the 2004 US Open
Duval had not won on the PGA Tour since lifting the Claret Jug. In fact, he had not played a single PGA Tour event in 2004 before getting to Shinnecock Hills. He had been dealing with various injuries and a loss of all confidence in his game.
Duval missed the cut at the first three majors of 2003, while he withdrew from the PGA Championship after finding himself at 16 over par after 22 holes.
Unfortunately, Shinnecock showed no mercy whatsoever.
Duval posted scores of 83 and 82 to end up at 25 over par. Only David Carr finished below him after the first two rounds.
Duval was 20 shots away from making the cut. However, an alarming number of players failed to break 80 at one stage or another during the week.
Billy Mayfair posted a round of 89 on Sunday in Southampton.
David Duval would remind everyone of his quality at the 2009 US Open
Duval would not make the cut in another major until the 2006 US Open. But he would manage to roll back the years at Bethpage in 2009.
Duval made just six of 22 cuts on the PGA Tour that year. But one of those came in New York as he finished tied for second, just two shots behind Lucas Glover.
It was his best ever finish in the US Open.
