TURNBERRY, Scotland — As gray crowds kept spitting out rain, David Duval just went about his work at one end of the putting green. He didn't bother with an umbrella and kept on those trademark sunglasses, even though the sun was nowhere to be found on this gloomy afternoon along the Scottish coast.

He's always projected an air of aloofness, given off a sense that you'll never really know what goes on behind the dark shades.

It was that way when he was the No. 1 golfer in the world. It was that way when he couldn't hit a ball any straighter than a weekend duffer. Even now, eight years removed from his last win, he might be the most intriguing golfer at the British Open.

Last month, Duval suddenly found the game that so mysteriously deserted him just when he seemed poised for an Arnie-vs.-Jack-like rivalry with Tiger Woods.

Duval stayed in contention through all four rounds of a waterlogged U.S. Open and really looked as though he might pull off one of the most improbable victories ever, only to come up two strokes shy of Lucas Glover in a three-way tie for runner-up.

"I had a real good time," Duval said Tuesday. "It was just great, the whole arena. I probably expected to be a little nervous and such. But if anything, I was more comfortable than I ever was, even when I was on top of my game. I just felt great. I loved it. I really felt comfortable with what I was doing and where I was."

Now, he must show it wasn't the greatest of flukes.

After all, Duval's performance at Bethpage Black was his first top 10 since 2002. His check for $559,830 nearly matched what he's made in the last five years combined on the PGA Tour. He remains far down in the world rankings at No. 145. And he still hasn't won since the last of his 13 tour victories, way back at the 2001 British Open.

When he finished up on the putting green, Duval browsed through the pro shop at Turnberry. Then he paused for a few minutes in the center of the clubhouse, not far from the portraits of three previous British Open champions: Tom Watson, Greg Norman and Nick Price.

Might he join them before the week is out? Duval believes he is certainly capable.

"I've lived through what I've lived through professionally," he said. "I feel like I'm a different person, a different player than I was a year or two ago, or 10 years ago even. I feel like I'm a better golfer than I was at any point in my career. Now it's just a matter of going out and doing it. That's all there is to it."

While proud of his performance at Bethpage, he was hardly content.

"I was very disappointed," Duval said. "I intended to win the golf tournament. I felt like I was playing better than anybody else. I had a couple of funny things happen to me through the course of the week and through the last round even. But still I had a chance. I fought and fought and fought and still had a chance. In the end, that's what you look for."