Duval regains major sense of belonging

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - After toiling away in the golfing wilderness for much of the last eight years, former world number one David Duval has finally returned to the place where he believes he belongs.

The American, whose ranking has plummeted to 882nd since he won the 2001 British Open, provided one of the most remarkable storylines at the U.S. Open before finishing tied second on Monday.

"It's what I want," Duval, 37, told reporters after surging into a share of the lead with three consecutive birdies on the back nine. "It may be arrogance but it's where I feel like I belong.

"I was glad to come up here and hit the golf ball and control myself like I've been saying I've been doing. I know I'm playing a lot better than my results have been showing.

"I stand before you certainly happy with how I played, but extremely disappointed in the outcome," the 13-times PGA Tour winner said after closing with a one-over-par 71 to finish two shots behind champion Lucas Glover.

"I had no question in my mind I was going to win the golf tournament today. I was in the middle of the golf tournament trying to make birdies and I was just having a blast."

Duval, who has not won since the 2001 Dunlop Phoenix in Japan, knocked in a three-footer on 14, a 14-footer on 15 and an eight-footer on the 16th green to join Glover in a tie for the lead.

With the packed grandstand behind the 17th urging him on, he failed to reach the green off the tee before horse-shoeing out from four feet with his par putt.