Golf: `Fifth major' provides local cheer for Duval

IF THE first major peak of the season comes in two weeks time with the Masters at Augusta, there remains a sizeable foothill to be scaled here this week. The Players' Championship has considerable merits but does not fall easily into any particular category of tournament. As David Duval tried to explain: "It's a big, established, important" - pause - "near major."

Whatever has gone before this season, and Duval was at the centre of much of it by winning twice on the West Coast, including a last round 59 at the Bob Hope Classic, the real stuff begins on the Stadium Course at the TPC of Sawgrass tomorrow. Not only is the lay-out a demanding test but the first prize of $900,000 (pounds 560,000) is hardly run of the mill.

That is around double what the winner will receive at Augusta in a fortnight's time but the very proximity to Masters diminishes the prestige of an event often referred to as the "fifth major". "If you gave me a choice," said Duval, "I'd choose four others to win first. It doesn't have the name [of a major championship]. But it does have one of the best fields of the year."

Duval was born in Jacksonville and still lives in the area, just down the A1A highway from Sawgrass. "I grew up watching this tournament," said the 27-year-old. "I used to sit on the hill behind the practice range watching guys hit balls for hours. This will probably be one of the most difficult victories for me to achieve in my career because it's at home. I don't try to put extra pressure on myself, but I probably do."

After a winning spree of nine victories in the last 18 months, Duval is pushing Tiger Woods at the top of the world rankings. Many feel Duval, despite not winning a major championship, should be the current No 1. The American is not that bothered. "Being No 1 is not something I'm concerned about because the system is not perfect," Duval said. "I don't want to criticise it too much because I don't have a better solution."

Also, maybe, because the rankings are run by Duval's own management company, IMG. Last week Woods was presented with the McCormack Trophy, named after IMG boss Mark McCormack, as the player who spent most weeks as the No 1 in 1998.

Despite only just missing the cut at Bay Hill last week, Woods pronounced himself happy with his new caddie, Steve Williams. A New Zealander who spent many years working for Greg Norman and Ray Floyd, Williams has replaced Mike "Fluff" Cowan, who proved a steadying influence in Woods' early days as a pro.

But the relationship became increasingly strained and now only coach Butch Harmon remains from the 1997 Masters champion's original entourage.