Share

Former champion Duval posts worst Open round ... for 22 years!

Portrush - David Duval hit the worst round at the Open Championship for 22 years on Thursday after carding a 14 on the par-five seventh to languish at the bottom of pack on 20-over par at Royal Portrush.

LIVE: 148th Open Championship - Round 1

Duval's Open win in 2001 ensures he is invited back as a former champion despite his world ranking plummeting to 2 080 and spending the majority of his time working for television as a golf commentator.

The 47-year-old even started with back-to-back birdies before the wheels began to fall off with a quadruple bogey eight at the fifth.

Disaster truly struck for Duval at the seventh as he lost two balls off the tee and then played the wrong ball, incurring an extra two-shot penalty. 

His score was originally recorded as a 13 before being amended after his round had finished.

"David Duval's score on the par five 7th hole has been adjusted to 14 instead of 13. His score for the first round is now 91, 20-over-par," tournament organisers said in a statement.

A triple-bogey seven at 17 ensured the former world number one's score was the highest in a round at the Open since Ian Baker-Finch struck 92 in the opening round at Troon in 1997.

Duval shot 80 in the first round of last year's Open at Carnoustie before withdrawing, but defended his decision to keep returning for the tournament despite his lowly ranking.

"It's not reflective of anything I've been doing it's just one of those God-awful nightmare scenarios," he added on his travails at the seventh.

"Honestly, I stood here starting this week figuring I am playing really well and (if) some things happen I could make top 20. Obviously I'll be in the last place."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE