Tuesday, July 16, 2002
British Open Notebook
Duval hoping to rekindle success
The Associated Press
GULLANE, Scotland — The tall grass and pot bunkers brought back fond memories for David Duval. He's not in Lytham anymore, but those unique characteristics of links golf made him feel at home at Muirfield as the defending British Open champion.
“It's nice to be back,” he said Monday. “The year went by quickly, but it seems like a long time ago because of how my season has gone.”
Indeed, this year must feel like an eternity.
Duval has missed the cut six times this year, including three in a row for the first time in his career, and has finished in the top 10 once on the PGA Tour.
A year ago, he won his first major at Royal Lytham&St.Annes, closing with rounds of 65 and 67 on the week end for a three-stroke victory.
Asked his assessment of Muirfield, he said, “Pure, dude. What else can you say?
“There's a lot of room in some places and not much in others. It's fair.”
Unlike Tiger Woods, who primarily hit a 2-iron off the tee during his practice round, Duval said he hit a driver six times. Sure, that brings some of the hazardous fairway bunkers and thick rough into the equation, but Duval prefers that risk to the alternative.
“Otherwise, you have to hit 2-iron into the green,” he said. “You have to pick your poison, but I like the fact you get that option.”
AZINGER OUT: Paul Azinger withdrew from the Open, citing an undisclosed injury.
Azinger, who hasn't won since the Sony Open in Hawaii two years ago, finished a stroke behind Nick Faldo at Muirfield in the 1987 British Open.
OH, BABY: Woods is playing for the first time since the U.S. Open because he was sick. Jim Furyk hasn't played since Bethpage Black for another rea son: He's a new father.
Furyk's wife, Tabitha, delivered their first child June24, a girl they named Caleigh Lynn.
CENTURY MAN: England's Lee Westwood, once a perennial favorite in the majors among European players, arrived with some unflattering news.
He dropped out of the top 100 in the world rankings.
Westwood, who hasn't won in two years, is No.102 in this week's rankings. He reached his highest level 14 months ago at No.4, and even last year was No.8 going into the British Open at Royal Lytham&St.Annes.
FALDO IN MOSCOW: Faldo is bringing his golf business to Russia. He said he has an agreement to open a golf academy, design an 18-hole course and build a “Jug and Jacket” restaurant in Moscow.
“There's only 27 holes in Moscow, and I've just won the contract to put a new 18 holes in there,” Faldo said.
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British Open Notebook