Davis Love Iii

Davis Milton Love III was born on April 13, 1964, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His father, Davis Love Jr., a professional golfer and instructor, introduced him to the sport, alongside his mother, who was also an avid golfer. Love attended Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Georgia, and later played college golf at the University of North Carolina, where he earned All-American honors three times and won six collegiate titles, including the ACC tournament championship in 1984. He turned professional in 1985 and quickly obtained his PGA Tour card.

Love established himself on the PGA Tour, securing his first victory at the MCI Heritage Golf Classic in 1987. He went on to win this event four more times, setting a tournament record. A significant career highlight came in 1997 when he won the PGA Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club. This victory, by a margin of five strokes, was notable as the last major championship won with a wooden-headed driver. Love achieved further success by winning The Players Championship twice, in 1992 and 2003, and accumulated 21 overall PGA Tour victories, earning him a lifetime exemption on the tour after his 20th win at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in 2008.

Beyond his playing career, Love co-founded Love Golf Design with his brother Mark, designing courses across the United States and Mexico, including Ocean Creek in South Carolina and the Dunes course at Diamante, recognized among the world’s top 100 courses by Golf Magazine. He also served as Ryder Cup captain in 2012 and 2016 (winning in 2016) and Presidents Cup captain in 2022 (winning). In 2017, Love III was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, recognizing his extensive contributions and achievements in the sport. He also co-authored the book “Every Shot I Take” in 1997, which received the USGA’s International Book Award.