David Duval, still basking in the glow
of his Open
win, says people appear to be looking at him differently since he captured
his first major title 10 days ago.
"It's a different look, a look of respect,"
Duval said on Wednesday on the eve of the International, his first official tournament
since his victory at Royal Lytham.
"I think everybody realises the difficulty
of winning those (major championships). The reception from people has been wonderful,"
he said.
Duval, 29, had compiled a pretty impressive
record prior to the Open, but he now admits that his career would not have been
complete without a major title on his resume.
"Ten days ago I thought I had done
all right. I was still early in my career. I had won a lot of events and won a
lot of money on tour.
"But looking back now, I can tell you
my career would have been incomplete (without a major victory). I would not have
realised that because I wouldn't have done it," he said.
"It's a goal I've been striving for
for 20 years, and I got to reach that at Lytham. I just wish everybody could experience
the feeling. It's far greater than I had anticipated," he admitted.
"I'll forever be an Open champion,
regardless of what happens from here. My name never comes off the trophy."
Duval, who was forced to quit last
year's International tournament with a back injury and was out of action for more
than two months, had something to say to the people who questioned whether he
was wise to train so hard off the course in an effort to bring himself to peak
physical condition.
He credited his intensive weight training
with helping him make the key shot on the 15th hole in the final round of the
Open.
The shot, a six-iron out of the rough,
flew around 200 yards and trickled up to within easy two-putt range for what proved
to be a crucial par.
"Every weight I've lifted and every
ounce of muscle I've gained for strength is what helped me win that Open on (the
15th hole) on Sunday, because I don't think many people could have hit that shot
I did.
