Duval back in the picture

SOUTHPORT, England -- David Duval?

Yep.

He’s ranked No. 1,087 in the world (tied with Dismas Indiza of Kenya). He has played 12 tournaments in 2008, missed 10 cuts, withdrawn once, finished 60th once and shot one round under 70. He has shot zero British Open rounds under 70 since winning the Claret Jug in 2001.

Nothing suggested he would come here and turn in a glowing 69 following a creditable 73, except some corner of his cranium that insisted his scores weren’t reflecting his quality.

“I’ve been expecting to play quite well for some time, not exactly knowing when that might happen, and it happens to come, so far, at my favorite golf tournament,” he said.

Even in Memphis, when he finished 60th, the scores seemed four or five digits higher than the caliber of his swings. “It made no sense to me,” he said.

Repeatedly asked how this has happened now, he repeatedly said nothing had happened except the score. No. 1 in the world in 1999, he said, “I’ve been working toward greatness, not just getting back to making cuts and managing to play halfway decent. I’ve been trying to take the long route and the hard route and try to get back to greatness.”

Seven years ago and 27 miles north, he walked up No. 18 at Lytham surrounded by multitudes, then gave a victory speech that charmed the Britons. On Friday evening, after falling off the face of dimpled earth in the interim, he walked up No. 18 at Royal Birkdale to make it two cuts out of 13, tied for fourth and three shots off the lead, a worse golfer but a happier soul.

“Certainly in the heart, oh, without question,” said Duval, 37. “I live for my family. I mean, you know, ironically, standing on this side of the mike you get asked these things, and I’m no different than anybody, any of you guys. You live for your family. . . . It’s a story for some reason, when it seems like that should be kind of a given.”