Rusty Duval arrives with low expectations

Doug Ferguson

Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005 | 9:39 a.m.

SAN DIEGO -- David Duval gets a new start this year, and no one is sure what to expect.

Least of all, him.

Formerly No. 1 in the world, Duval took a seven-month break from golf last year before returning to the U.S. Open. He was refreshed, happier than ever with his new wife and family, and showed promise toward the end of the season when he made the cut in three of his last six events.

But his offseason golf consisted of only 15 holes.

Not rounds -- holes.

And 10 of those came Tuesday at Torrey Pines, a course he has not seen in seven years.

"It's been cold, and there's a lot of snow on the ground," said Duval, who now lives in Denver. "I had planned on practicing a bit, but it just didn't work out."

The rust level is high.

Expectations are low when the Buick Invitational begins today.

"I guess my biggest goal would be just to work on the things I've been working on and feel that much more comfortable with it," Duval said, referring to a change to a weaker grip. "I'm not as far along as I would have liked to have been. I just have to continue to work on it."

After a 20-minute session with the media, Duval headed for the range. After going through some wedges, middle and long irons, he pulled his driver from the bag and hit the first one onto Torrey Pines Boulevard. The next one was pure, some 300 yards to the back end of the range. The third was a snap hook.

Chris Perry stood behind him, making a few observations. Before long, most of his shots were relatively straight. But when he showed up Wednesday morning for his pro-am round, Duval walked stiffly.

"I'm sore," he said. "I haven't hit that many balls in a while."

How long did he stay on the range?

"About an hour," he said.

OK, so he's no Vijay Singh. Nor does he plan to be, in terms of reaching No. 1. He has long believed -- even before winning 11-of-34 starts to ascend to No. 1 in the world in 1999, and later winning the 2001 British Open -- that there is more to golf than simply winning.

In fact, it was that claret jug he won at Royal Lytham & St. Annes that made him wonder, "Is that all there is?"

Duval will measure success by his own standards. For now, it means feeling comfortable with his swing, getting the sensation of a clean shot and most of all, enjoying his time on the PGA tour.

A forgotten man last year, it won't be hard for him to disappear at Torrey Pines -- and not just because heavy rains have made the rough thicker than usual.

The attention is at the top of the rankings -- Duval is No. 526, one spot ahead of Jay Delsing, who's caddying for Corey Pavin this week.