David Duval may no longer be on speaking terms with Tiger Woods, but once upon a time he counted himself as one of the golf icon’s ‘closer friends’.
A 20-year-old Woods made his PGA Tour debut in 1996 at the Greater Milwaukee Open.
Tiger Woods shared a famous but short rivalry with David DuvalGetty
As for Duval, he was in his prime during the late 90s and early 2000s as the American sat No. 1 in the world for 15 weeks in 1999 and won The Open in 2001 – his only major.
The pair enjoyed a fierce but friendly rival during Duval’s best years. so much so they had a televised one-on-one match on American television in 1999.
Despite their competitive nature, Duval revealed the two were pals off the course.
“We were friends,” Duval told the No Laying Up podcast.
“I don’t know what the word is or adjective to describe him as the icon, but, you know, obviously he came out and turned pro and had success and started to win a little bit and started to win some more.
“Tiger Woods today, I believe he’s 47 now, [that was a] generational time period where he became that icon.
“Back then when he turned pro, it’s not like he turned pro and became the best player in the world.
“Everybody knew him. Everybody knew who he was and expected a lot, but it took time for the aura of it to continue to build.
“For me, we were…I was probably one of his more closer, better friends along with Mark [O’Meara].
“I think as much as anything he trusted us and, you know, knew that we were just his friends and didn’t really give a c*** about the other stuff.
Duval revealed he and Woods were once close pals, but no moreGetty Images – Getty
“But when you have somebody like that, as it just grows and grows and grows then that circle has to tighten and tighten and tighten.
“And that’s just how it played out.”
Unfortunately for Duval his rivalry with Woods was shorter than he’d have hoped amid a multitude of injuries and health issues.
Additionally the 52-year-old has since claimed he and Woods no longer speak.
“We were decent friends 10 years ago, 12 years ago. We talked a fair amount,” Duval said.
“Now, are we friends? I guess so. We don’t talk.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to have a beer with him, but it would probably have to be hidden in some house somewhere. It’s not like he can go to the public and do it.”
