By Mark Soltau
SportsLine Senior Writer

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- So once again, the David Duval-Tiger Woods showdown never materialized. Coming into the Masters, many felt the dynamic duo were the players to beat.

As it turned out, neither made a serious run, Duval mounting a mini-charge Sunday before faltering on the final nine. He closed with a pair of 2-under-par 70s and tied for sixth, five strokes behind winner José Maria Olazábal. Woods was never a factor, Sunday's 3-over-par 75 tying for 18th, nine shots back.

Much like the Match Play Championship, anticipation was high and golf fans were primed for a head-to-head battle between the two young stars. But in a similar scenario, both came up short.

Which makes you wonder: Is there really a rivalry?

Granted, the 27-year-old Duval and 23-year-old Woods are probably the best golfers on the planet. Duval has been the most dominant player in the game the last two years, while Woods is usually a contender in every tournament he enters. The problem is, they seldom compete in the same events.

Woods wasn't in the field when Duval won in Palm Springs and Atlanta; Duval skipped San Diego, where Woods prevailed.

Still, Duval and Woods are constantly asked about their so-called rivalry, when in truth, it doesn't exist. Not yet, anyway. There seems little doubt the two have pushed each other, giving each added incentive. But this isn't Hogan-Snead or Palmer-Nicklaus, not by a long shot.

"I can't really see that there's a rivalry yet in that one fellow's won one major championship and the other fellow hasn't won any," Nicklaus said. "That doesn't mean they aren't the best two players, because I think they are. But if you want to create a rivalry, wait until one wins the Masters and the another wins the U.S. Open. Then you've got a rivalry."

Woods and Duval haven't faced each other in the final round with a tournament on the line.(Allsport)

Unlike the Palmer-Nicklaus battles, which were honest and pure, the Duval-Woods confrontation is contrived. Sure, it has potential. But so far, it's mostly wishful thinking.

That wasn't the case with Jack and Arnie. They dominated the game and knew the path to victory usually went through each other. Jack was the upstart, the bold challenger, Arnie the proud champion and The King. Neither gave an inch.

"We wanted to beat each other," said Nicklaus. "He loved it, and I loved it. Sometimes we played too hard against each other and let somebody else win. But I think we had as much to do with that as anything else.

"Our games created that rivalry. The rivalry was not created by the media. And I think that's what has to happen with these guys. Their games have got to create that."

During one stretch in the 1960s, Palmer and Nicklaus combined for five straight green jackets and six out of seven, each claiming three. Now that's a rivalry.

To their credit, Duval and Woods haven't fueled the hype and are good friends. Both are bright, talented and driven to be the best.

Some, including Mark O'Meara, think Duval's recent ascension to the No. 1 world ranking has already given Woods extra motivation. O'Meara should know, counting himself as Woods' closest friend on the PGA Tour.

Woods admitted he would like to regain the top ranking, but he hasn't put a bulls-eye on Duval. As long as he keeps winning, the rest will take care of itself.

As for the rivalry, it's mostly fantasy.

"It's more difficult now given the competition and the depth of the field," said Woods. "It's possible, but it's difficult to say in this sport.

"I think what will probably end up happening, if David continues to play well and I win more tournaments, we will probably play head-to-head eventually, but the likelihood of that happening every time we tee it up, no. It will happen a few times, and hopefully it will happen in majors."

Until then, enjoy their flashes of brilliance. They're still young and time is on their side. Hopefully, the best is yet to come.

Editor's note: CBS SportsLine senior editor Mark Soltau's column can be found every Monday on GolfWeb.