Golf legend Davis Love III is back home and recovering after successful open heart surgery, marking a new chapter for the 60-year-old Hall of Famer.
Doctors had been keeping an eye on Love’s heart valve for about 10 years before deciding it was time to take action. The surgery took place at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and by Saturday morning, he was already back at his St. Simons Island, Georgia home.
“I went in healthy and came out healthier,” Love said in a statement that showed his trademark optimism.
CBS’s Jim Nantz broke the news during Saturday’s Farmers Insurance Open broadcast, sharing that he’d just spoken with Love before going on air.
The recovery timeline looks promising. Love’s expected to be back behind the wheel in March and swinging clubs again by April.
“I’m motivated to prove them right and get back to playing golf by this summer!” Love said, praising his medical team at Mayo Clinic.
It’s just the latest challenge for the 21-time PGA Tour winner, who’s no stranger to comebacks. In 2020, he faced a devastating house fire that destroyed his family home, though thankfully everyone escaped safely.
Love’s been a towering figure in American golf for decades. He captured the 1997 PGA Championship and has made an incredible 791 PGA Tour appearances. Since turning 50 in 2014, he’s played occasionally on the Champions Tour, with just four starts since 2023.
But it’s perhaps his leadership that’s made the biggest mark recently. He led Team USA to a memorable Ryder Cup victory in 2016 as captain, making up for a heartbreaking loss at Medinah in 2012. He also guided the U.S. to victory as Presidents Cup captain in 2022, and served as vice-captain at the 2023 Ryder Cup.
With his recovery now underway, the golf world is eager to see Love back on the course, doing what he loves best.
