David Duval said he will step away from the game if he doesn’t produce in 2014

If there is a poster boy for just how cruel golf can be, it’s David Duval. The former No. 1 player in the world went from British Open champion to basic obscurity in a span of just a couple of seasons, randomly pinging our radar like he did at the 2009 U.S. Open where he finished second, but mostly just landing as a trivia answer as one of the few people to take the top ranking from Tiger Woods.

Duval, ranked 1521 in the world now, knows his golf game just isn’t what it used to be but that isn’t stopping him from giving it one more go this next season in hopes of earning a PGA Tour card for 2015.

If he fails to accomplish that goal, the 42-year-old said he will figure something else out to do with his life. He expressed all this on Twitter, explaining that he has worked hard on his game this past season and hopes that the exemptions he lands in ’14 will help him earn a full PGA Tour card for the following year.

Here are a few select tweets Duval sent out earlier this week (read his entire explanation right here).

I talked to some close friends and decided to seek the help of Chris O. The work we have done in the 8+ months I am very pleased with.

— David Duval (@david59duval) December 11, 2013

I had thought about playing in Europe next year but that really is not an option with the dedication I have to my wife and kids. — David Duval (@david59duval) December 11, 2013

With all that bring said I wish to state without hesitation that 2014 is the last time I will ask for exemptions.

— David Duval (@david59duval) December 11, 2013

I will be asking for starts but this is the last time. I think that if I can have a 20 event schedule then it’s up to me to get my status. — David Duval (@david59duval) December 11, 2013

As a player you need to perform and if I don’t do that in 2014 I will do something else.

— David Duval (@david59duval) December 11, 2013

I think what Duval is saying and asking is completely understandable and honest, and it’s refreshing seeing a former major winner lay all his cards on the table.

Duval knows he isn’t the same player he once was, but if what he said is accurate, he’s working as hard as he can to be relevant again and not embarrass himself on the golf course.

As a guy that puts himself out there on a far smaller stage from time to time, I totally understand what Duval is saying and how hard it must be to toss the pride aside and just let everyone know what you’re battling with. This is a guy who was extremely clutch back in his prime, pulling off shots to win big, big golf tournaments and making putts for historical moments (like his eagle for the 59 at the Bob Hope).

I’m proud of Duval for giving it one last run, and at 42 if he could somehow get out of his way mentally it might just work out. If nothing else, I hope Duval knows he has a group of golf fans rooting for him, because if nothing else, we all love a good comeback story.

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Shane Bacon is the editor of Devil Ball Golf and Busted Racquet on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shanebaconblogs@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter at @ShaneBacon!