(Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
While all the headlines coming into Bethpage Black and the 2009 U.S. Open this week focused on Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, the best story coming from the rain-soaked course is that of David Duval.
These three names know a little something about golf, it was not that long ago that these men were the best golfers in the world.
One look need no further than the 2001 Masters. Augusta National had a made-for-TV final round that Sunday as the three best golfers were battling for the green jacket.
Playing in the final group, Mickelson and Woods were doing battle with Duval just a group ahead and all three playing high quality golf.
Duval had a share of the lead after making a birdie on the par five 15th but gave it back on the very next hole.
Woods would win ultimately win that battle, leaving Duval and Mickelson still searching for their first major title.
However, Duval would not have to wait long. He took home the 2001 British Open just a few months later.
Things were shaping up nicely for the former No. 1 ranked golfer in the world. The same man who carded a 59 in 1999 in the final round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic for an epic victory.
Duval looked to be one of a handful of guys who could challenge Tiger's dominance on the PGA Tour.
Well, things did not quite turned out like we all imagined.
Indeed, eight years later and Duval is still seeking his first win since his breakthrough at the British.
No sports figure has ever had such a dramatic fall from grace.
Duval went from one of the top three players in the world to 80th on the money list in 2002, by 2003 he was 211th.
As of this moment, Duval is ranked 882nd.
Duval's fall has been attributed to many things.
He has suffered from vertigo.
He has experienced back and shoulder injuries that put him on the shelf.
He has overcome personal disruptions and turmoil.
Most importantly though, Duval has had to deal with a loss of confidence.
He had gone from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the heap faster than a New York minute.
Golf, particularly, can be a brutal sport to those who are struggling. It has cruelly denied many golfing phenoms the opportunities they desire.
Duval returned to the 2004 U.S. Open and shot 25 over par, a humiliating experience.
However, Duval has continued to play sporadically and over the past season has begun to really dedicate himself to getting back.
During the U.S. Open coverage this week, Duval's former college coach was interviewed and he claimed that he thought Duval's swing was back in form.
He has hopes that Duval could prove to everyone that he was not done yet playing golf at a competitive level.
It was not a preposterous idea.
Although everyone remembers the 2008 Open Championship because of Greg Norman's turning-back-the-clock performance, Duval also had a solid start after the first two rounds.
Duval carded rounds of 73-69 to put himself in position before an 83 derailed the feel good story.
So here we are again, Duval has put himself in good position after two rounds in a major.
After an opening round 67, Duval appeared to be heading south with a terrible start to his second round.
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