Golf Nut, I have always liked David Duval, but haven’t seen much of him lately. It’s almost like he has fallen off the golf course so to speak. Can you tell me what’s going on with him lately?

Well, compared to his success in the late 90’s, Duval has almost completely disappeared from the professional golf scene. In comparison, between 1997 and 2001 David Duval won 13 PGA events including the 2001 British Open. In 2006, he missed the cut in 19 of 20 golf tournaments that he started. So he has been in almost a virtual free fall.

David has experienced some physical problems, including vertigo and a back injury. He has also chewed through a series of swing coaches. So as a golfer, he appears to have been struggling with both the physical and mental side of the game.

But there are those who saw David at the 2007 Masters who think that he is close to being back to his old form. And he shot a back nine 32 in one of his rounds at Augusta this year. Some of the golfers commented that he has regained the physique that he had when he was successful, meaning he has given up that sculpted look he had for a while and has gained a few pounds back.

Duval has also joined forces with his old coach from Georgia Tech, Puggy Blackmon. While he didn’t do great things consistently at the Masters, or come anywhere close to winning, he seems to have gained his confidence back. His comment is “I’m close” when he was discussing if he was actually on a comeback.

I would like to see David back in the hunt going forward. He is a class guy and we’ve missed him from the golf scene. I think that the 2007 golf season will tell the tale for him.