Duval's burning ambition

David Duval still does not know what effect his burnt thumb and finger will have on his chances of winning the US Open this week.

The world number one suffered the injury on Friday picking up a pot off a stove at his new home and has not gripped a club since.

"I've been trying to put it off as long as I can because of the blisters," said Duval.

"If this wasn't US Open week I may not have played, but there is no way I'm missing this. There's no two ways about it."

The 27-year-old, the leading money-winner in America this season with over £1.75 million after four wins, had no intention of hitting balls on his arrival at Pinehurst on Monday. Instead he said he would just walk the course.

He will then make a decision whether to practice on Tuesday, or just limit himself to one round before he tees off in the first round at 7.30am on Thursday.

"I was pretty lucky because I did it right next to the refrigerator and was able to stick my hand in an ice box within 10 seconds.

"Within an hour I was at the doctor's and had some anti-septic cream put on.

"There is a possibility that when the blister bursts it could get infected and make it worse. But I'm obviously going to try to avoid that."

Some new skin may be applied to try to further protect the thumb and finger, Duval admitting that the affected areas are right on important pressure points for the golf swing.

Duval and world number two Tiger Woods - winner of his last two tournaments - are the two favourites for the event.

The pairing will not concern Westwood. He and Woods were drawn together in the first three rounds in San Francisco last year, he outscored Woods by one and went on to finish joint seventh.

Then they went head-to-head in the final round of the Masters this April. Westwood had much the better of things again, moving into the lead with nine to play before dropping back to sixth with a 71 while Woods managed only a 75 and came 18th.