THE OPEN RELATED STORIES The Open Home Page The Open Scores Round 4: Harrington defends Open title Round 4: Ian Poulter impresses with second place Round 4: Greg Norman proud of achievement Round 4: Henrik Stenson happy with best finish Round 3: Norman takes a two shot lead Round 2: KJ Choi edges a shot clear at halfway Round 1: Late starters share first round lead Course Guide: Royal Birkdale 2008 European Tour Schedule Open Champions 1860-2007 Tee Times and Pairings Prize Fund/Purse Open Championship scoring and other records Open Championship quotes - Wise and witty words about golf's oldest Championship Wind the biggest threat at Royal Birkdale Injuries aboud around the 137th Open Without Tiger many look to score Major success Unhappy John Daly back at The Open Kenny Perry defends absence Justin Rose returns to scene of 1998 drama Padraig Harrington still a doubt Sergio Garcia favourite for The Open Tiger Woods the hot topic of conversation Lee Westwood praises Royal Birkdale Graeme McDowell looking to continue good form Players puzzled by Kenny Perry's absence Wrist worry for Padraig Harrington Phil Mickelson dodges the Tiger factor Green Royal Birkdale greets players Open not devalued by Tiger absence says O'Meara Furyk confident of better Royal Birkdale fortunes Phil Mickelson confident of adding to Major tally Luke Donald out of Open with wrist injury Justin Rose looking forward not back 137th Open Championship Summary GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS Huge savings on Festive gifts! A golf break in France - just £89! Half Price Golf Vouchers Take 10 shots off your scores! Best Value Golf Insurance

David Duval in contention with a 73

David Duval rediscovered vintage form when the former world number one shot a three-over-par 73 in difficult conditions to lie two strokes off the clubhouse lead in the British Open first round.

“I’ve been expecting glimpses of greatness like this for a while,” the 2001 champion told reporters after tucking in two behind South African Retief Goosen and Mike Weir of Canada.

The 36-year-old American was world number one in 1999 but is now down at 969th in the rankings.

With heavy rain and strong winds buffeting Royal Birkdale, Duval’s chances of suddenly changing his fortunes seemed slight at the start of play.

“When I looked out of my window I thought `Jeez, it’s going to be a hard day”, the 13-times U.S. PGA Tour winner said. “I’d have been very surprised to see a player go round in a decent score hitting the ball in the air, you’ve got to keep it down.

“I got a lot out of my game today because conditions were awful. If they’d said you can have a 73 and go back to sleep I’d have certainly taken it.”

With title hopefuls Vijay Singh and Ernie Els returning 80s and world number two Phil Mickelson a 79, Duval’s feat was even more startling.

“It would have been very easy to shoot 80 out there,” he added. “Golf isn’t about hitting great shots, it’s about putting it all together at the right time.

“If I went out again in the same conditions I could hit the ball the way I did and might shoot 80.

“I felt very confident and I feel very good about the work I’ve done over the last few months, never mind about the past few years.”