Along the way, Duval found clarity in his personal life - marrying, becoming a father, insisting he had discovered a greater purpose than hitting a golf ball. Some even wondered if family bliss ruined his career, taking away that competitive edge he once held over everyone not named Tiger.
Duval scoffs at those who say you can't be a loving husband and dad - and successful golfer.
``Jack Nicklaus did it pretty well,'' he said. ``If anything, I would think it would be the other way. You would be so hyper-focused, you'd get that much more out of your effort.''
While he doesn't like looking back, Duval points to back problems as the main culprit in his decline. He began to swing so his back wouldn't hurt, and he soon had no idea where the ball was going.
``When I was swinging great, I hit the golf ball dead straight,'' he said. ``I faced a problem that thousands and thousands of golfers have faced. I'd get on the tee and I wouldn't know where to aim because I didn't know if I was going to hit it right or left or straight. It almost becomes a cliche, but it's very difficult to play this game, especially professionally, if you can't eliminate half the golf course.''
Duval's fellow players are sympathetic to his plight, but know there's more to the man that the numbers he writes on his card. Once viewed as caustic and unapproachable, he's now friendlier to those around him - the media included - and draws plenty of cheers from the hackers in the gallery, who can certainly relate to what he's going through.
``I don't think David wants my empathy, to be honest with you,'' Paul Goydos said. ``He's a good man. He's well-read. He's smart. I think he's as happy as he's ever been in his life with his family situation. Sometimes, I think we overrate the importance of hitting a little white ball around a big grass field.''
Then, Goydos added, ``I shouldn't say this because it's not my place, but if you asked David if he was happier when he was No. 1 in the world or today, I think you'd be surprised by the answer.''
Duval figures he can still have it all: happiness at home and on the course. For starters, he admittedly needs to get in better shape, having cut back on his once-brutal workout regime because he was tired of his body hurting so much.
``Frankly,'' he said, ``I'm in the same boat right now with a lot of people, where I need to lose a few pounds and get healthier.''
He's convinced that his swing isn't that far off. The main thing holding him back at this point is a lack of confidence.
Not surprisingly, Duval's psyche is still a bit fragile. In his prime, he figured those few errant shots he hit were an anomaly, and quickly cast them aside. Now, he's prone to still be thinking about a bad swing when he lines up to take the next one.
``I'm motivated to do it. I have the desire to do it,'' he said. ``I've just got to keep going.''
With that, Duval headed for the course, his trademark sunglasses perched on the back of his head while he tried to look forward.
