Love ends PGA title drought with 20th career triumph
Time is GMT + 8 hours Posted: 10-Nov-2008 06:24 hrs
Davis Love III holds the winner's trophy with Mickey Mouse after the final round at the Children's Miracle Network Classic at Disney Magnolia golf course in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Veteran Davis Love held off a late charge by rookie Tommy Gainey to seal his 20th PGA Tour victory on Sunday - and his first in more than two years.
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Love, who started the day two shots off the lead, fired an eight-under 64 for a four-round total of 25-under 263 in the 4.6 million-dollar Children's Miracle Network Classic.
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He finished one shot in front of Gainey, whose own 64 for 264 saw him play the back nine in six-under-par.
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Love saved par from a bunker at the final hole to secure the hard-fought victory, which earned him a lifetime exemption to play on the US Tour.
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For Love, whose last victory was at the 2006 Greensboro Classic, the victory in the last tournament of 2008 was a satisfying end to a sometimes difficult season.
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He missed some time in August and September to rest his surgically repaired left ankle, which he had originally injured in 2007.
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He hadn't posted a top-18 finish this year until he tied for third place at the Turning Stone Resort Classic on October 5.
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"You know, 13 months after ankle surgery - you've seen me a lot this Fall Series," Love said of the final string of tournaments which most of the game's elite players elect to skip.
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"I've been out here grinding, trying to get a win. My family supported me and let me come play for six weeks. It has been a lot of fun. I'm glad to get one (win) in."
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Overnight co-leaders Scott Verplank and Steve Marino finished tied for third at 20-under after they each signed for a 71. — AFP
