Duval sets sights on double

David Duval risked the ire of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club by employing the Open Championship's Claret Jug - one of the most treasured pieces of silverware in sport - as a beer jug.

On the eve of the 83rd US PGA Championship here, where Duval is expected to offer the strongest challenge to defending champion Tiger Woods, the Open champion explained how he raised a toast to his victory last month by filling the trophy with Dom Perignon champagne and then the very best Louis XIII cognac.

But he revealed: "There was one other thing. It wasn't nearly in that price range. It was only, like, a couple of dollars but I had to do it, I had to experience it, though I think the R&A might get mad!"

The world No3 is likely to receive no more than the mildest rebuke, as golf is likely to reap its own rich reward from Duval's triumph.

The game requires t new characters if it is to maintain-its boom in popularity. It is also desperate for someone to answer a media-led call for the establishment of a rivalry with Woods to imitate the competitive tension that existed between Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

Duval has always possessed the potential to fulfil both those needs.

He has finally emerged from behind the sanctuary of those signature wraparound shades to pull funny faces for television cameras and to crack jokes with the media.