Breakfast of champions - golfer David Duval may be threat to Tiger Woods - Brief Article

Golf Digest, July, 1999 by Jerry Tarde

The conversation started over a plate of creamed chipped beef on toast. Peter Kostis and I were sitting in the upstairs dining room at Augusta National Golf Club, just off the champions' locker room. Gay Brewer was having breakfast at the next table.

"I've been around food all my life," I said to Kostis, "and there's nothing better than creamed chipped beef on toast."

"Have you noticed the similarities between David Duval and Jack Nicklaus?" Kostis said.

"No," I said, "but, tell me, why is it you can't get chipped beef outside of the Army, Augusta National and Philadelphia diners?" "Duval and Nicklaus," Kostis said sternly.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Peter," I said. "There's nothing similar between the two. What, they both like to ski?" "For one thing," said Kostis, setting me straight, "when Nicklaus came along, he was not well received. The fans considered him a threat to Palmer. Duval is now a threat to Tiger, who's got the same flamboyant appeal as Arnie. People like swashbucklers."

"Do you say this stuff on television, Peter?"

"When Jack came out," Kostis continued, "he was a grim, fat boy in a bucket hat. Then he went through a physical and personality transformation. He became media friendly."

"I see where you're heading with this, Peter. You don't have to draw me pictures."

"Right. Duval's lost all this weight, got himself in really good shape, and he's even become better with interviews. Like Nicklaus, we respected him for his golf skills. Now he's trying to meet the public halfway, and it's made a big difference."

"But Nicklaus? Isn't that like comparing some rapper to Louis Armstrong?"

"Yeah, but Duval's the first guy to come along to possess the possibilities of a comparison. They both have the same stocky, thick legs, the same big butt that serves you well in a golf swing."

"Now you've got my interest. Why's a big butt advantageous to golf? I might find this useful."

"In golf, you want a lower center of gravity. That's why tall golfers with long legs don't have the support mechanism to stay consistent. A guy like Ernie Els is the exception, because he's got big legs that counterbalance his height."

"OK, Peter, tell me more."

"Duval's game is quintessential Nicklaus. Consistent, conservative, smart golf. He does what he does; hits his shot regardless. Never compounds his errors. Doesn't make mental mistakes."

"His weakness?"

"Same as Nicklaus'. They're weak on flop shots, bunker play, not very creative around the green. Both are vanilla in the short game."

"Does David have Nicklaus' length?"

"The thing that changed Duval was putting that new driver in the bag at the World Series of Golf last year [Titleist 975D Titanium driver]. He picked up yardage and lost the high-right shot. When David missed, his miss was always high and right, and he had to guard against that. With the new driver, he's now freed up to swing away. On the 625-yard 16th hole at Firestone, he hit driver-3- iron to the back of the green. Both Tiger and Duval have styles that reflect their personalities."

"Which means what?"

"Exciting play versus consistent play. In Tiger's defense, he's 23 and Duval's 27-those are four maturing years in golf."

"Why is it you never sound this intelligent on TV, Peter?"

Before he could answer, Sean McManus, the president of CBS Sports, breezed by to say hello. Gay Brewer glanced up. Peter had to go. Then a waiter said a green- coated member was waiting to take our table. So off I went, downstairs where the golf is played, looking for David Duval and seeing him differently now.