David Duval was once the king of golf, topping the world rankings and challenging Tiger Woods like few others could. His story mixes epic highs, tough lows, and a steady comeback on the senior tour in 2026.
David Duval’s Biography
Here’s a quick rundown of David Duval’s key personal info in a table.
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | David Robert Duval |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Born | November 9, 1971, Jacksonville, FL |
| Age | 54 years |
| College | Georgia Tech |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Turned Pro | 1993 |
| Net Worth | $20 million |
| Earnings | Career PGA Tour: $56.95 million |
| Spouse | Susan (Suzanne) Persichitte (m. 2004) |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| @davidduval59 |
Early Career
David Duval shone as an amateur, winning the 1989 U.S. Junior Amateur and dominating at Georgia Tech as a four-time All-American and 1993 National Player of the Year. He nearly won a PGA Tour event in college, leading the 1992 BellSouth Classic after 54 holes before fading to T-13. Turning pro in 1993, he grabbed two Nike Tour wins that year, including the Nike Tour Championship, earning his PGA Tour card for 1995.
Professional Career
Duval exploded onto the PGA Tour with seven runner-up finishes from 1995-97, then won three straight events in late 1997, including the Tour Championship. In 1998, he claimed four wins, topped the money list at $2.59 million, and earned Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson honors. He hit world No. 1 in 1999 after a final-round 59 at Bob Hope and wins at Mercedes and Players Championship—same day his dad won on Champions Tour.
He added the 2001 Open Championship major, reaching 13 PGA wins total. Injuries, vertigo, and slumps hit hard post-2001; he lost his Tour card in 2011 but bounced back with T-2 at 2009 U.S. Open and Pebble Beach. Now 54, Duval plays PGA Tour Champions, tying for 15th at 2026’s Mitsubishi Electric opener for $34,000.
David Duval’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, David Duval’s net worth sits around $20 million, driven by his $57 million PGA Tour career earnings through decades of ups and downs. Recent PGA Champions Tour play adds modest sums, like $34,000 from his 2026 season opener T-15 and prior small payouts. Broadcasting for ESPN boosts it without big Tour wins lately.
Prize Money
David Duval’s PGA Tour prize money peaked in his prime. Here’s a table of yearly totals.
| Year | Earnings |
| 1993 | $132,018 |
| 1994 | $2,644,309 |
| 1995 | $2,931,236 |
| 1996 | $5,655,924 |
| 1997 | $7,773,093 |
| 1998 | $10,925,718 |
| 1999 | $7,388,537 |
| 2000 | $8,405,280 |
| 2001 | $2,514,135 |
| 2002-2015 | Varied, totaling ~$7M |
| Total PGA | $56,951,794 |
Career Earnings
Full career earnings mirror prize money closely, with PGA Tour at $18.98 million official through 2018, but broader sources tally $57 million including all tours. Champions Tour adds bits like $9,660 in 2025 SAS and $34,000 in 2026.
| Period | Total Earnings |
| PGA Tour Career | $56,951,794 |
| Peak Year (1998-99) | $10.9M |
| Champions Tour (recent) | ~$100K+ |
| Overall Est. | $57M+ |
Endorsements
David Duval landed solid endorsement deals during his peak, pulling in more than his $2.6 million 1998 prize money from brands like Titleist for gear, FootJoy shoes, Tommy Hilfiger clothes, Oakley shades, Charles Schwab finance, and Bombardier jets.
His agent kept it selective, avoiding Tiger-level overload at 8-10 deals, focusing on quality fits for his cool, understated vibe. Those ties likely linger in some form into his analyst and senior tour days, padding his wealth beyond prize cash.
Career Records
David Duval holds marks like first final-round 59 in PGA history (1999 Bob Hope) and 13 PGA wins, including one major. He reached world No. 1, led money and scoring lists in 1998. Against notables like Tiger Woods (lost Showdown at Sherwood), Phil Mickelson (lost NEC 1998), Jim Furyk (beat Tour Championship 1997), Niclas Fasth (beat 2001 Open), here’s key wins/runners-up.
| Tournament | Year | Opponent(s)/Runner-up | Result |
| Michelob Kingsmill | 1997 | Grant Waite, Duffy Waldorf | Won playoff |
| Tour Championship | 1997 | Jim Furyk | Won 1 stroke |
| Tucson Chrysler | 1998 | Justin Leonard, David Toms | Won 4 strokes |
| NEC World Series | 1998 | Phil Mickelson | Won 2 strokes |
| Mercedes Championships | 1999 | Billy Mayfair, Mark O’Meara | Won 9 strokes |
| Players Championship | 1999 | Scott Gump | Won 2 strokes |
| Open Championship | 2001 | Niclas Fasth | Won 3 strokes |
| Buick Challenge | 2000 | Jeff Maggert, Nick Price | Won 2 strokes |
FAQs
1. Who is David Duval?
David Duval is an American professional golfer born on November 9, 1971, in Jacksonville, Florida. He rose to fame with 13 PGA Tour wins between 1997 and 2001, including one major, and briefly held the World No. 1 ranking.
2. What major championships did David Duval win?
David Duval won his only major at the 2001 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes, finishing at 10-under par with a final-round 67 to win by three strokes over Niclas Fasth. He was runner-up twice in the Masters, in 1998 and 2001.
3. How many PGA Tour events did David Duval win?
Duval secured 13 PGA Tour victories, highlighted by the 1997 Tour Championship, 1999 Players Championship, and wins in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001. His breakout year was 1997 with three wins, including two playoffs.
4. What is David Duval’s most famous low round?
Duval shot a historic 59 in the final round of the 1999 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, finishing at 26-under par to win by one stroke over Steve Pate. This remains one of only five 59s in PGA Tour history.
5. When was David Duval ranked World No. 1?
David Duval first reached World No. 1 on March 29, 1999, holding the top spot for 15 weeks total, with his longest streak of 14 consecutive weeks that year. He led the PGA Tour money list and scoring average in 1998.
6. Why did David Duval’s career decline after 2001?
After his Open win, Duval battled back injuries from weightlifting, a 2000 sprained ligament sidelining him for 10 weeks, vertigo, swing flaws, and personal issues including a breakup and antidepressants. He lost his PGA Tour card in 2011.
7. What is David Duval doing now in 2026?
At age 54, Duval competes on the PGA Tour Champions, earning $1,149,553 with no wins but 78 cuts made in 82 starts. He previously worked as a Golf Channel and NBC commentator before returning to play.
8. What is David Duval’s family background?
Duval attended Georgia Tech, winning two Nike Tour events in 1993 and earning PGA Tour status in 1995. Tragically, his older brother Brent died at age 12 from aplastic anemia complications after Duval donated bone marrow at age 9.
9. Who is David Duval married to?
David Duval married Susan Persichitte in 2004 after meeting in 2003; they have two children, Brady (2005) and Sienna (2008), and he is stepfather to her three prior children: Deano, Nick, and Shalene. They live in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado.
10. Did David Duval win The Players Championship?
Yes, Duval won the 1999 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass by two strokes over Scott Gump with a final score of 3-under par, marking his second victory that year after the Mercedes Championships.