Nick Faldo was impressed by what he saw of fellow former world number one David Duval during the opening round of the Bob Hope Classic at Palm Desert, California.

American Duval, who has not won anywhere since the 2001 Dunlop Phoenix in Japan, shot a five-under-par 67 at the Classic Club, one of four venues hosting the 90-hole event.
   
"His swing looks good," Faldo said in his role as lead television analyst for the Golf Channel. "I love the way he made that rehearsal stroke before hitting his shot.
   
"Before, he had his famous alignment with an extremely shut club face. But today his rhythm worked and his putting looked great."
   
Duval's relative free-fall from the very top of the golfing pile in 1999 has been one of the most perplexing stories in the sport's history.
   
In 1998, he led the PGA Tour money list with earnings of more than $2.5 million.
   
The following year, he became the third player in Tour history to shoot a magical 13-under-par 59, doing so in the final round of the Bob Hope Classic where he eagled the last.
   
He won four titles before that year's Masters, and eclipsed Tiger Woods as the game's top-ranked player in 1999.
   
In 2001, he finally clinched his first major after several narrow misses, a closing 67 earning him a three-shot victory in the British Open at Royal Lytham.

His golfing career then unravelled.
   
He broke off an eight-year engagement to fiancee Julie McArthur at the start of 2002 and struggled with his swing along with several injuries.
   
He tumbled out of the top 400 in the world rankings and made only one cut in 20 starts on the 2005 PGA Tour.
   
For a while, he considered giving up the game, especially when his life away from the course gained stability with his marriage to Susie Persichitte. He is now a proud father to four children.
   
However, he decided to persevere with tournament golf and made positive strides last year with three top-25 finishes on the PGA Tour, including a tie for 16th at the US Open.
   
"He's been through a really tough time and making just one cut two years ago, that's pretty serious to deal with," added six-times major winner Faldo.
   
"He was a character, though, and we need him. And coming to an event like the Bob Hope is good for the confidence."
   
Known for being a birdie fest of low scoring in relatively calm conditions, the Bob Hope is an ideal tournament to start the season.
   
Duval took advantage in the opening round, eagling the par-five 14th and picking up three more shots to finish four strokes behind pacesetting Australian Robert Allenby.
   
"I feel like I'm playing well," said Duval, who is playing the 2007 PGA Tour on an all-time money list exemption.
   
"Today was a good test and it's a little more comfortable out there when it's going where you want it to."