David Duval and Jim Furyk turn back the clock

AVONDALE, La. – Jim Furyk and David Duval said they’d be the rustiest team at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, but the veterans put on a vintage display to fire a 7-under 65 at TPC Louisiana on Thursday. In Four-ball play, the duo negotiated their way through an early downpour and then turned back the clock to put themselves high on the leaderboard. At one point they actually had the lead, perhaps to their surprise, but ended the morning wave inside the top 10 teams. “We hung in there. Wasn’t necessarily the prettiest, but it was solid. Wasn’t like we had 36 looks at birdies; there was a few up and downs; a few good saves; and a couple good birdie putts,â€� Duval said. “It was solid, but it wasn’t entirely like smoke and mirrors. It was pretty solid.â€� Duval – the 13-time PGA TOUR winner and former World No. 1 who these days spends his time as a Golf Channel analyst – found some of his old magic with four of the team’s seven birdies. The 46-year-old started to tire late, but this wasn’t a surprise as he’s played just seven TOUR events in the last three seasons, missing the cut in all of them. Earlier this season he missed the cut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am but this time around he was able to get some serious preparation in. “Fortunately, with my work schedule I’ve had the last couple weeks off since the Masters. I actually went down, took my clubs — which I’ve never traveled with clubs — took them to the Masters and practiced down there when I had the opportunity,â€� he explained. “Then I had a couple weeks at home, of which a good eight or nine of those days cooperated weather-wise. Then I met up with my old coach as well, talked with him and met up with him down here on Monday.â€� Duval was thankful for the format change that saw the tournament open up with Four-ball rather than Foursomes. While well placed after the opening round, Friday’s alternate shot format will be a different beast all together. “The alternate shot is certainly a more nerve-racking format,â€� Duval said. “And add to it that you’re playing it for a score, not just matches, match play per hole.â€� Furyk is in the midst of a comeback of sorts of his own, the 47-year-old is in just his seventh start this season after shoulder issues last year. “I’m glad we kind of got settled today, put up a decent score. I think the key tomorrow is — our whole thought process coming in here, is we want to have fun. It’s two buddies getting back together, playing golf,â€� Furyk said. “We have to keep that same attitude tomorrow. We’re here to have a good time and have fun. If we can do that, we may put up a decent score.â€�

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