‘Praying for Him’: Jim Nantz, Joined by Harris English & Co, Wish Davis Love III a Speedy Recovery After Heart Surgery

21-time PGA Tour winner, Davis Love III, underwent open heart surgery. Jim Nantz said in the Farmers Insurance Open broadcast that the veteran golfer ‘went in healthy’ and came back ‘healthier’. That’s what Davis Love III told him. The 60-year-old golfer was admitted to Mayo Clinic, in Jacksonville, Florida.

The surgery was done to replace a leaky valve that was first detected a decade back. As the news circulated after Nantz’s words in the broadcast, it took most by surprise. Farmers Insurance winner, Harris English was informed about his condition in the post-round interview. 

English expressed his surprise before lauding Davis Love’s resilience. “I didn’t know that. That’s wild. If there’s anybody to come back stronger than ever, it’s that guy. I see him a lot in the gym, I see him a lot hitting balls and practicing. He loves the game and loves to get better and he can’t sit still at all.” Both of them are residents of St. Simons Island. 

In fact, in the closer circle, he is fondly called ‘Uncle Davis’, per a report in BBQ Magazine. To Sea Island golfers, including Harris, Patton Kizzire, J T Poston and Keith Mitchell, a barbeque around Love’s house is akin to a holy ritual. His love for the community and the tournament, RSM Classic, is well known. Back in 2020, Davis Love III served as the host of the tournament after ruling himself out with a neck injury.

Clark is also a two-time winner of the Wyndham Championship. The Tournament posted from their official handle, “Wishing our 2x champ the speediest recovery!” The rest of the golf community shared the same prayer. One fan commented, “Spent some time with DLIII at the Chubb during a pro-am. Absolutely the nicest professional golfer I’ve ever met. And I’ve met quite a few. Get well soon.” Another tweeted, “Praying for him. Def one of my favs.” “Wow! Open heart? DL3 get better !!” prayed another fan. 

The former PGA Championship winner has in recent years restricted himself to playing in a handful of tournaments. He was a regular at the RSM Classic. Other than that, Davis Love III teed off in a few senior tour events. It appears he is eager to be back on the greens again. 

Davis Love III loves golf and he can’t stop playing

In a previous interview with Chubb Classic’s media persons, Davis Love III estimated that he had lost a quarter of the last ten years due to injury. He had to undergo hip replacements as well. Then back in 2017, he broke his collarbone in a snowboarding accident. Four years earlier, the veteran golfer went under the knife for a spinal fusion procedure. He always came back to the greens, and he is plotting a return this time too.

He wasn’t joking when told Nantz that he went healthy and came back healthier. Love has started his first round of therapy with Randy Myers. He plans to drive the ball in March and start putting it in April.  “I’m grateful for them [doctors] and their teams’ expertise and care, and I am motivated to prove them right and get back to playing golf by this summer!” wrote the 21-time PGA Tour winner in a statement. Davis Love III last teed off at the Constellation Furyk & Friends last year settling for a T63.