World Golf Hall of Famer, Davis Love III, recently underwent successful open heart surgery, following a decade of monitoring a valve issue. The 60-year-old made the decision to have the surgery well in advance, and attended the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida for treatment before returning home to St Simons Island, Georgia. CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz shared the news during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open, revealing that Love III plans to be back driving in March and playing golf in April. Love III expressed his gratitude for the well wishes and prayers he received, thanking the medical team at Mayo Clinic for their expertise and care.
Love III, a two-time Ryder Cup captain and one-time Presidents Cup captain, has had an impressive career in golf with 21 PGA Tour wins and a victory at the 1997 PGA Championship. Despite his success on the PGA Tour, Love III has made only 52 PGA Tour Champions starts since turning 50 in 2014, with just four starts since 2023. In recent years, he has served as a vice-captain for Team USA at the Ryder Cup and as a winning captain at the 2016 Ryder Cup. Love III also captained the successful Presidents Cup team in 2022 before stepping down from his role as a CBS analyst in 2020.
Following his surgery, Love III expressed his motivation to get back to playing golf by the summer and prove his medical team right. He credited the doctors at Mayo Clinic, including Dr. John R. Cangemi, Dr. David J. Cangemi, Dr. Peter M. Pollak, and Dr. John Haney, for guiding him through the surgery and providing excellent care. Love III’s return to the golf course will be eagerly anticipated by fans and fellow players, as he looks to continue his successful career after overcoming this health challenge.
Fans of Love III and the golf community as a whole have been supportive of his recovery, sending well wishes and messages of support since news of his surgery was announced. Love III’s statement after the surgery reflected his positive attitude and determination to return to the sport he loves. With a strong support system and a team of dedicated medical professionals behind him, Love III is focused on making a full recovery and getting back to competitive golf in the near future.
The golf world will be watching Love III’s progress closely as he works towards his goal of returning to playing golf by the summer. His resilience and determination in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration to all who follow his career. With a successful surgery behind him and a positive outlook on the road to recovery, Love III is poised to make a triumphant comeback to the sport he has dedicated his life to. Stay tuned for updates on Love III’s journey back to the golf course and his continued impact on the game.