Former major winner and golf Hall of Famer David Love III has spoken out for the first time after undergoing open heart surgery in Florida last week.
Former PGA Championship winner and USA Ryder Cup hero is recovering at home and insisted ‘My heart is cranking again’ after fans feared for his health after hearing the news of his procedure from CBS announcer Jim Nantz.
Speaking to Golfweek, he said: ‘The doctor told me it’s not an emergency but let’s do it before the spring. I said, “Let’s do it the first date you have open”.’
After undergoing the operation on Tuesday, he added: ‘My heart is cranking again. I didn’t realize I had a cylinder not firing.’
He also revealed that he now has ‘cow parts in my thumb and heart,’ joking: ‘Hopefully hit it farther and no mooing!’
The 60-year-old has 21 wins on the PGA Tour and was previously the No 2 ranked player in the world.
Golf legend Davis Love III plays a shot during a tournament in Jacksonville in October 2023
Love III was among the captains for the USA Ryder Cup team in Rome two years ago
Revealing the news live on CBS at the weekend, announcer Nantz told fans: ‘I just want to pass along our warmest wishes from the entire golf world… we’re standing behind you, Davis Love III.
‘Folks, he was just released this morning from Mayo in Jacksonville after open-heart surgery this week to replace, in his words, a leaky valve that was detected about 10 years ago.
‘It had been scheduled, this operation, for some time. He said, “I went in healthy and I came out healthier.” I spoke to him just before we came on the air today.’
Love III was a huge figure in the world of professional golf in the 90s and early 2000s, winning the PGA Championship in 1997 at Winged Foot.
He won the PGA Championship in 1997, beating Justin Leonard by five shots to seal the title
He has twice captained the USA Ryder Cup team, in 2012 and 2016, and was inducted into the golf Hall of Fame in 2017.
Revealing more about Love III, Nantz continued: ‘The first thing he did as he made his way home with Robin, is that he stopped and had his first round of therapy with the father-in-law of Andrew Novak, Randy Myers. His daughter Maddie is married to Andrew Novak.
‘Davis, we’re all thinking of you. Past champion here, great man. In Davis’ words, he’s going to be driving in March, and putting in April. He’s just fine, sounds a lot worse – in his words – than it really was.
‘But any time you’re talking about open-heart surgery, just thankful to hear he’s doing just fine. One of the most beloved guys in the game of golf.’
