Robert Allenby of Australia is not planning to play the Houston Open, site of his first PGA Tour win two years ago.
Both are asking the same question: What's the best way to get ready for a major?
Duval arrived at Augusta National on the weekend before the Masters last year and found it helped his preparations, although he was coming off a forced three-week break because of an injury to his wrist.
He said he probably would go to Augusta on Saturday this year, which rules out playing in the BellSouth Classic.
``It's not a given that I won't go there, either,'' Duval said. ``The timing is not so good. Unfortunately, that's how it is.''
BellSouth falls the week before the Masters. That's one reason Tiger Woods declined to defend his title in 1999, the only title defense he has skipped.
This year, the Houston Open will be played after The Players Championship and two weeks before the Masters. But that isn't as appealing to some players, either.
Even though it is televised by ABC Sports (he signed an endorsement deal with Disney last year), Woods is still undecided about Houston and leaning against.
And then there's Allenby, who doesn't see how he can make it.
The Aussie is one of several players - Phil Mickelson included - who likes to play the week before a major to get in a competitive frame of mind. Since he already plans to go to Bay Hill, the Masters would be his fifth straight event if he played Houston.
``I've found that taking a week off (before a major) is not a good thing,'' the Aussie said. ``It's very good to come to a major with form, and tournament form at that.''
Allenby played the week before a major only once last year, the PGA Championship (news - web sites), ``and that was my best one.'' He tied for 16th.
David Toms isn't sure which strategy works.
``A lot of times, if you're in the hunt the week before, it can take a lot out of you,'' he said. ``I don't think we're ever going to figure out the perfect formula.''
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/1/200410