David Duval makes a dramatic return

Birdie: David Duval. It was Tuesday afternoon, and after a practice round David Duval said he was just “cutting out” as he walked briskly to the parking lot.

He had time, he said, for only one question.

This was it: Are you going to win this week?

“I’m planning on it,” he replied. “I’m playing really well and excited.”

You might have thought Duval had been munching on magic mushrooms. The 2001 British Open champion had made only seven cuts in the 30 majors played since then.

Explanations for his free fall included back and shoulder injuries, a bout with vertigo and strife in his personal life.

But there he was Saturday morning, making birdies on three of the six holes he played to move to three under par, five off the lead, with two rounds to play.

What has kept him going?

“One, I love playing the game,” he said. “I love competing. But more than that, I wanted my wife and my family to see how I can actually play this game. They haven’t seen me at my best, and I want them to.”

Bravo, David. You deserve a birdie.

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Bogey: Bethpage Black. It’s not fair to rip a course for being easy when it’s almost strictly a result of the weather. Still, when you see mid-iron shots spin back on greens, it just doesn’t feel like a U.S. Open. The Black yielded 23 sub-70 scores in the second round.

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Birdie: Nick Taylor. The Canadian equaled the U.S. Open record for low score by an amateur with a five-under 65. Pretty impressive stuff from a guy we thought helped form the band Duran Duran. (Apologies. Thinking of John Taylor and Nick Rhodes.)

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Bogey: Padraig Harrington. Would you attempt a swing change after winning the British Open and PGA Championship in the same year? Harrington did. He shot 76-76 to miss the cut by eight shots.

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Bogey: Fans who scream, “Get in the hole!” after every shot. No explanation needed.

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Birdie: Mother Nature. Thanks for allowing the second round to be completed by mid-afternoon. Now about today . . .

-- Teddy Greenstein