It was his first victory of a season that, until Sunday, had been a lost cause. And there are still miles of ground to cover. Duval won for the first time in 29 tournaments, dating to the BellSouth Classic in the spring of 1999. During that span, Woods won 16 times, including five majors, and nearly as much money as Duval has made in his career. Eighteen months ago, everyone was asking what's wrong with Tiger.
Memories are short out here, as they are in every sport.
Eighteen months ago, Duval was the toast of golf. While Woods was still trying to sort through an overhaul of his swing, Duval won 11 times in a span of 34 tournaments and rose to No. 1 in the world by winning The Players Championship in his hometown. His victory at Callaway Gardens only solidified his spot at No. 3. While Ernie Els was a runner-up in the first three majors this year, and Phil Mickelson has already won three times this year, Duval's 11 victories over 18 months is reason to believe he has the best chance of trying to slow Woods' assault on the record books. That will have to wait until next year, when a new season begins with a full slate of major championships before them.