GOLF US Open: Not long after David Duval, one-time world number one but nowadays languishing in 434th position - and sliding - in the official rankings, had signed for a first round 83, he stood on the podium behind the 18th green at Shinnecock Hills to be interrogated by the world's media.

At one stage, his words couldn't be heard above the roar that greeted Phil Mickelson as he his round on the 10th tee.

Once upon a time, Duval (pictured) was the people's champion; now, that tag belongs to "Lefty" and, don't you know, Duval doesn't care. In fact, he doesn't seem to have a care in the world, and, hey, if he's signing for an 83 in the US Open, so what? There are more important things in life.

"It goes without saying that I am not tournament-ready," said Duval, who is competing in his first tournament in seven months, a period away from play that owes a little to shoulder injuries and a lot to his marriage and discovering the joys of family life. Of snowboarding with his step-children, and things likes that.

Duval, whose last tournament win came in the 2001 British Open, wasn't concerned that his score was his worst in his 39th round in 12 US Open appearances.

"I think I made four double bogeys, maybe even five. I think it's four," he remarked, In actual fact, Duval had three double bogeys, along with nine bogeys and two birdies.

Of more concern than the score, though, was that he had "conducted myself well which, as you all know, is very important to me. I didn't act like a jerk, throwing my clubs around . . . just playing was an enormous victory for me. I've always tried to conduct myself in a very forthright and stand-up.

"I'm going to take my time, play when I want to. No reason to bombard myself with lots of golf tournaments just for the sake of golf tournaments. I felt like today was going to be a very difficult day. I felt it was going to be horrible, that I'd be scared. All that stuff, but I felt pretty darn good."

Hard Station

One of the strangest distractions that players competing in the 104th US Open have to contend with is the sound of the Long Island railroad trains as they make their way alongside the course. Although the train schedule is an irregular one, with just over a dozen stops a day, the train's arrival to the station at Shinnecock Hills is announced by a piercing siren.

"It's fine," remarked Mark Calcavecchia. "We've to cope with the same thing at a number of British Opens."

Druids link

What do Druids Heath and Shinnecock Hills have in common? They share the same agronomist. James Lynch is an American agronomist married to Sharon Boylan, sister of Adrian Boylan who is the head greenkeeper at Druids Heath. Lynch - who is a member of Shinnecock Hills and Druids Glen - acts as a consultant agronomist to both championship courses at Druids Glen Golf Resort.

Nice-guy Padraig

Padraig Harrington is making an increasing number of appearances in the US, and it his affability is hitting home with the American media. In a poll conducted by New York newspaper Newsday, the Dubliner was placed as fourth nicest guy competing in the US Open. Only Nick Price, Joey Sindelar and Jay Haas - all US Tour veterans - polled ahead of him. ...

Compiled by Philip Reid