He probably should have earned a Masters jacket during his career. Lost to Vijay in 2000. And a 2009 US Open win would have perhaps reignited his career and maybe he could have had a second career like Steve Stricker. I played a junior golf tournament round with DD in 1986 when he was 14. I was 16 but he was an early bloomer who was already filled out, muscle bound and 6 feet tall. He was driving the par 5's in two at the age of 14. I think his swing (although coached by his dad, the club pro) was natural and uniquely his own. Very smooth swing with great tempo. And he hit it as long as anybody.
As far as only one major, he had some close calls at Augusta which probably wore him down as David went to Georgia Tech. Of course Tiger won four straight then a bunch more. David's back went out at St. Andrews when he had a close match to the eventual winner Tiger. When he was winning almost every third start it was just stupid how good he was. David once called five foot putts "knock ins" or something. A lot of pros probably over tweaked their games to beat Tiger in majors because Tiger was that unbeatable. Back then, Tiger never struggled (or played less than exceptional) with any club. You do not see that in today's younger players as often.
It is almost shocking he only won 1 major. If i was wagering, I would have guessed no less than two, and more like 3-6 majors. Could just be bad luck. I can think of numerous athletes who were ruined by injuries.
On Feherty David said he hates it when people say the brake up with his girlfriend had a negative effect on his game he said if anything it freed him personally, numerous injuries his back being the worst effected his swing he tried to compensate with them to feel less pain and overtime this fundamentally changed his swing, this is from an article about David, "Where he had expected elation and fulfillment after winning his first major at the Open Championship in 2001, he instead found an empty, isolated feeling and the sense that his victory was almost fraudulent. "When you work so hard," he recalled, "and have had so many near misses and then win, and you didn't play that well, it's like, 'Are you kidding? Are you really gonna do this to me?' It's not like I played bad, but of the tournaments I won, that's the one I played the worst in." At his crowning moment, it dawned on him that golf was just a game. And, of course, only someone for whom golf was more than a game could be disillusioned to discover otherwise.
good points Alex. I remember when he won the Open and thinking he didn't play that well either. The win was more of a Ben Curtis type win than a Tiger type win. It's really a shame because he was really phenomenal at the top of his game and had some close misses, including that divot at the Masters. That is why Tiger and Jack were so good, they didn't just have a good year or two, they did it for 10 or more.
exactly mike those Augusta mishaps must of stung bad considering he played at georgia tech, there's no doubt when David was no 1 he truly was the best player in the world and you can argue this was at the same time tiger was starting to play the best golf hes ever played and that golf is again arguably the best golf ever to be played in history, but if you compare the two Duval and Woods just up to the point where Duval started to loose his game, Woods is on another level, Sam Snead the most naturally talented swinger of a golf club ever made a personal effort to go watch Woods when he was just 16, walked a whole round with him and after Sam Snead said that boy is going to win many many pga tournaments, Woods is the definition of a living phenom. But still as you said its a real shame, David was a quality player so fun to watch and a genuinely nice guy, i really hope he gets his game back and starts winning again whether that's on the PGA or champions tour it would be great.
His problem is between his ears. In his prime he was extremely fit, strong. Let himself go. Back an excuse. Many great players find a way to play great golf despite getting older and having some nagging physical issues.
He looks really unfit, he was thin and strong when he was no1. I think if he was truly committed he would loose weight. I'd say he struggled with keeping up with fitness and health when he became rich and famous.
Simply, the best !
Always been a fan. I wish him well in life and hope to see him on the Seniors tour in a couple of years.
He probably should have earned a Masters jacket during his career. Lost to Vijay in 2000. And a 2009 US Open win would have perhaps reignited his career and maybe he could have had a second career like Steve Stricker. I played a junior golf tournament round with DD in 1986 when he was 14. I was 16 but he was an early bloomer who was already filled out, muscle bound and 6 feet tall. He was driving the par 5's in two at the age of 14. I think his swing (although coached by his dad, the club pro) was natural and uniquely his own. Very smooth swing with great tempo. And he hit it as long as anybody.
Always loved Duval
Together with Jim Furyk my two best golfers I´ve ever seen to play
Full lob wedge on a links course? I don't see that shot often.
Good luck David, you’re going to get it back, no worries, enjoy the ride, watch it happen.
amazing story
Good to see David back, his swing is looking good, just needs to sort his putting out - experiment with different putting options.
Kingsbarns 18th hole!
Yes likewise he sounds a genuinely well balanced guy with a grip on reality and what’s important in life.
I wonder what the instrumental is playing in the first couple seconds of the intro. I've heard it on Big Break Academy airing another time.
As far as only one major, he had some close calls at Augusta which probably wore him down as David went to Georgia Tech. Of course Tiger won four straight then a bunch more. David's back went out at St. Andrews when he had a close match to the eventual winner Tiger. When he was winning almost every third start it was just stupid how good he was. David once called five foot putts "knock ins" or something. A lot of pros probably over tweaked their games to beat Tiger in majors because Tiger was that unbeatable. Back then, Tiger never struggled (or played less than exceptional) with any club. You do not see that in today's younger players as often.
Is David wearing Tiger's new shoes????
great story, but man was he huffin and puffin while just walking and talking..
hit the treadmill davey!!
GREAT Golfer. needs to get fit & or see a heart specialist.
10-15 ft with a lob wedge?!?! Up your standards bro
The 350 yard drive wasn't too bad though, 'bro'.
Don't recall you being World Number 1 bro
shame about this guy as was gonna be better than tiger woods by a long way
It is almost shocking he only won 1 major. If i was wagering, I would have guessed no less than two, and more like 3-6 majors. Could just be bad luck. I can think of numerous athletes who were ruined by injuries.
His long time girlfriend broke up with him in 2000 and he was never the same after that. It's a shame but a woman can do that to a guy.
On Feherty David said he hates it when people say the brake up with his girlfriend had a negative effect on his game he said if anything it freed him personally, numerous injuries his back being the worst effected his swing he tried to compensate with them to feel less pain and overtime this fundamentally changed his swing, this is from an article about David,
"Where he had expected elation and fulfillment after winning his first major at the Open Championship in 2001, he instead found an empty, isolated feeling and the sense that his victory was almost fraudulent.
"When you work so hard," he recalled, "and have had so many near misses and then win, and you didn't play that well, it's like, 'Are you kidding? Are you really gonna do this to me?' It's not like I played bad, but of the tournaments I won, that's the one I played the worst in."
At his crowning moment, it dawned on him that golf was just a game. And, of course, only someone for whom golf was more than a game could be disillusioned to discover otherwise.
good points Alex. I remember when he won the Open and thinking he didn't play that well either. The win was more of a Ben Curtis type win than a Tiger type win. It's really a shame because he was really phenomenal at the top of his game and had some close misses, including that divot at the Masters. That is why Tiger and Jack were so good, they didn't just have a good year or two, they did it for 10 or more.
exactly mike those Augusta mishaps must of stung bad considering he played at georgia tech, there's no doubt when David was no 1 he truly was the best player in the world and you can argue this was at the same time tiger was starting to play the best golf hes ever played and that golf is again arguably the best golf ever to be played in history, but if you compare the two Duval and Woods just up to the point where Duval started to loose his game, Woods is on another level, Sam Snead the most naturally talented swinger of a golf club ever made a personal effort to go watch Woods when he was just 16, walked a whole round with him and after Sam Snead said that boy is going to win many many pga tournaments, Woods is the definition of a living phenom. But still as you said its a real shame, David was a quality player so fun to watch and a genuinely nice guy, i really hope he gets his game back and starts winning again whether that's on the PGA or champions tour it would be great.
His problem is between his ears. In his prime he was extremely fit, strong. Let himself go. Back an excuse. Many great players find a way to play great golf despite getting older and having some nagging physical issues.
He looks really unfit, he was thin and strong when he was no1. I think if he was truly committed he would loose weight. I'd say he struggled with keeping up with fitness and health when he became rich and famous.