It has been a rough start to the 2008 PGA Tour season for David Duval, who withdrew earlier today from the Northern Trust Open after 11 holes, citing a neck injury. Duval missed the cut in his first three events of the year and is playing this season on a Major Medical Extension. Duval said several weeks ago that he plans to play in 16-18 tournaments this year.
David Duval played in only seven tournaments last year, wanting to spend more ti
me with his wife during her difficult pregnancy. Now, with a better mindset, Duval expects to play in 16-18 tournaments in 2008, including this week at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, a tournament that he won in 1999. Duval, who was once ranked number one in the world, told Mike Ritz of The Golf Channel that he feels that he is playing well enough to win again. Just as in 2007, expect the galleries to give Duval a lot of moral support. He has become a fan favorite.
David Duval and Dudley Hart have missed most of the 2007 PGA Tour season due to problems with their respective families. Duval's wife was put on bed rest in February because of complications with her pregnancy and Hart has not played since the spring because his wife became seriously ill. Because of this, "the PGA Tour has approved a new regulation that offers medical extensions to players who deal with a family crisis, a decision that will help David Duval and Dudley Hart next year," says the Associated Press. Both players' wives are doing better now.
David Duval, who won the British Open in 2001, has pulled out of this year's championship due to personal reasons, according to the Associated Press. Duval has played in only five tournaments this year due to his wife's difficult pregnancy with their second child.
