The 1997 PGA champion underwent open-heart surgery this week to repair a “leaky valve” that he had been living with for a decade, but was discharged from hospital on Saturday
Former Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III has undergone successful open-heart surgery. The 1997 PGA champion had an operation in Jacksonville to fix a “leaky valve” that had been troubling him for ten years.
Concerns were raised throughout the golfing community upon hearing about Love III’s significant surgery. However, during CBS’s coverage of the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on Saturday, viewers were reassured with the announcement that the 21-time PGA Tour victor had left the hospital after a successful procedure.
“Just want to pass along our warmest wishes from the entire golf world,” Jim Nantz said during the broadcast. “[We are] standing behind you, Davis Love III. He was just released this morning from Mayo in Jacksonville after open-heart surgery to replace, in his words, a ‘leaky valve’ that was detected about 10 years ago.
“This operation had been scheduled for some time, and he said, ‘I went in healthy, and I came out healthier.’ I talked to him just before we came on the air today and the first thing he did as he made his way back home with Robin is they stopped and had his first round of therapy with the father-in-law of Andrew Novak, Randy Myers.
“Davis, we’re all thinking of you. A past champion here, a great man. In Davis’ words, everybody, he’s going to be driving in March and putting in April. He’s just fine and it sounds a lot worse, in his words, than it really was, but when you hear about open-heart surgery, you’re just thankful he’s doing just fine. One of the most beloved guys in the game of golf.”
Love III, having participated in four tournaments throughout 2024 — including a PGA Tour appearance at The RSM Classic in November — has notably reduced his playing calendar, down from twelve competitions across both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour in 2023.
Love III turned pro in 1985 and notched his first win at Harbour Town two years on. He’d go on to establish himself among the sport’s elite, appearing at six Ryder Cups. Major triumph eluded him until he clinched the coveted Wannamaker Trophy at Winged Foot in 1997. Love III also led Team USA as captain in the 2012 and 2016 Ryder Cups.
