Enigma Wrapped In A Mystery: “Victor’s very shy, very sensitive."

Much of the Victor Dubuisson allure stems from his fine play under pressure, his dashing style and fundamentally strong swing. But in an age when players share so much of their lives, the mystery surrounding his upbringing and his intensely personal nature only adds to the Frenchman's intrigue.

In James Corrigan's Telegraph story following up on Dubuisson's runner-up finish in the WGC Accenture Match Play, he suggests Dubuisson is "a contradiction of what he purports to be and that what those few who know him say he is."

What that means, I'm not sure nor am I sure it matters.

His back story is shrouded in mystery. The nephew of Hervé Dubuisson, France’s greatest basketball player, Victor claims to have left school at 10 to concentrate on golf. “I was very young and it was difficult to do both,” he said, straight-faced.

What did his family think about that? Dubuisson will not say. There is plenty Dubuisson will not say. If his emotions give little away – he truly is the Gallic Jason Dufner – then his words grant even less. This avowed film buff even refused to tell an inquisitor what his favourite film was last week.

Thomas Levet, the last Frenchman to play in the Ryder Cup, has tried to help him communicate. “Victor’s very shy, very sensitive,” Levet said. “It is hard for him. He does not want to tell too much about himself.”

The Daily Mail's Derek Lawrenson took a different view of Victor's loner qualities.

A self-confessed loner, he likes nothing more than spending all day practising (Faldo could hardly keep the smile from his face when he heard that).

Those who know him say he is also a little bit, well, mad, but that's OK. Isn't this a game which drives you that way?

Brian Keogh talked to Graeme McDowell about the Ryder Cup and the enigma that may be Dubuisson is not a deterrent to a partnership. At least not for GMac.

But if McDowell, as expected, earns his place in McGinley’s line up, he saw enough of the new leader of the European Ryder Cup Points List in Tucson to know they’d make a formidable partnership in Scotland.

Dubuisson ended McDowell’s miraculous run in the desert with a one-up quarter-final win that was characterised by the kind of short game magic and cool under pressure that is crucial in Ryder Cup combat.

"He’s going to be a massive part of the Ryder Cup team this year and I am hoping to be there with him and maybe get a foursomes game with him," McDowell said after his defeat to the 23-year old, who went on to produce some incredible recoveries from the desert to take Jason Day to the 23rd in the final having coming back from three down after seven holes to beat Ernie Els one up on the semis.

With the Lawrenson story was this awesome AP photo of Dubuisson's recovery shot on 18. If anyone know who took the shot I'd love to add the photographer's name. Ted Warren of AP took the shot. Thanks to readers Bill and Tim for the info.