David Duval hasn’t played in the windy, wet conditions since the British Open this summer. Just like then, he managed to work himself into contention at the Ginn sur Merr Classic on Friday.
Winless in seven years, laboring at No. 233 on the money list and playing his final US PGA Tour event of the year, Duval put together a strong round of 3-under 69 at the Ginn Ocean Hammock Resort that left him only two shots behind Ryan Palmer going into the weekend.
Palmer missed only one green on the back nine for a 71, putting him at 6-under 138.
PHOTO: AFP
Robert Allenby, at No. 30 the highest-ranked player at this Fall Series event, had a 71 and was one shot out of the lead along with Peter Lonard (69), rookie Michael Letzig (74) and Ken Duke (69).
Duval, who has made only four cuts in his 19 starts on the tour this year, had three birdies and an eagle during a six-hole span on the front nine, which he capped off by chipping in on the par-5 ninth. He recovered from a bogey on the 11th with a birdie at No. 14, and finished with his seventh round in the 60s in his last 10 rounds on tour.
His best finish this year was a tie for 22nd at the Viking Classic, but he really showed glimpses of form at Royal Birkdale.
Duval was three shots out of the lead, until a rough start sent him to an 83 in the third round.
Maybe that’s why he’s not reading too much into his 36-hole start.
“I’m not thinking [about contending], not at this point,” Duval said. “And I won’t tomorrow. Those feelings come back when you get to the back nine Sunday and you have a chance.”
He loves this kind of weather, though. It was blustery when he captured the British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2001, and it was the same at The Players Championship and the Mercedes Championship at Kapalua, two of his victories in 1999.
“I’ve always enjoyed that kind of stuff,” Duval said. “What it does is makes you pay attention to hitting the golf ball solidly and that’s what’s most important.”
Even if he doesn’t win, Duval can play next year through an exemption for career money.
Palmer is not that fortunate. He is 143rd on the money list, and only the top 125 keep their cards.
The final tour event is next week at Disney, where Palmer earned his lone tour victory.
“I’m trying not to get ahead of myself and trying to stay calm,” Palmer said. “Hopefully, karma keeps going that way. If I keep my card, unbelievable ... awesome. What’s keeping me calm and relaxed this week is that I’m not thinking about the money list.”
■VOLVO MASTERS
AFP, SOTOGRANDE, SPAIN
The battle for the Volvo Masters, and the Order of Merit crown, was postponed until yesterday after heavy rain washed out the scheduled second round at Valderrama on Friday.
Only two players were under par for their round when tournament officials initially decided to bring the players in due to water logged areas.
With no sign of the weather abating, it was decided shortly afterwards to postpone the day’s play.
The tournament’s early leaders had yet to begin their round with Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen holding the lead at six under par.
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