David Duval upbeat despite shooting 83

It was meant to be a comeback of enjoyment at the 104th U.S. Open, the chance to have some fun once more in the atmosphere of tournament golf.

For David Duval, it was all of the above, even though he carded a 13-over-par 83 in the opening round at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Thursday.

The former world number one, playing competitive golf for the first time in seven months, produced an ugly mix of three double-bogeys, nine bogeys and two birdies.

Yet he enjoyed the experience immensely, especially his rock-solid birdie at the par-four opening hole.

"I had a good time. I enjoyed being out there," the 32-year-old told reporters.

"I really felt good about all the good shots I hit, and didn't feel too bad about the some of the bad ones I hit.

"If it was an event other than the U.S. Open, or maybe the (British) Open championship, my score would have been a little bit better.

"I'd love to always hit three-woods like I did off that first tee and then played it smart, hit a nice shot short of the hole and made the putt," added the American, who had pitched to 12 feet to set up his birdie at the 393-yard first.

Duval, who had not played tournament golf since he withdrew from the Dunlop Phoenix event in Japan last November, decided only on Saturday night that he would return to the competitive arena.

The 2001 British Open champion was the last player in the 156-strong field to register for the tournament, saying his expectations for the week were simply to have some fun and enjoy the atmosphere.

The last time he had played in a PGA Tour event was at the Las Vegas Invitational in October 2003. He made just four halfway cuts in 20 starts last year.

"It goes without saying that I'm not tournament ready," he said. "In general, though, I'm pleased with what happened today. I felt like I conducted myself well, and that I hit some really nice shots.

"All in all, I would call it an enormous victory for me," added Duval, who has plummeted to 437th in the world rankings since eclipsing Tiger Woods as the game's leading player on March 28, 1999.

For the last three years, he has struggled with his swing and a series of injuries. At the start of 2002, he broke off his eight-year engagement to fiancee Julie McArthur.

This year, though, his focus has been firmly placed on family matters.

On March 6, he married his girlfriend Susie Persichitte and he is now a proud father to three children in Denver, Colorado.

"That's what's important to me right there -- my wife and the kids at home and family and friends," he said. "If I had to make a choice, I'd go home and stay with my friends and family and you'd never see me again.

"There's no reason to bombard myself or my wife or the kids with lots of golf tournaments just for the sake of golf tournaments.

"I didn't take all the time off to do that. I did it to try to feel like I was ready to play and to be excited to play.

"Next time I feel like I'm ready to play is when I'll show up."