Love earns lifetime exemption with 20th career victory at Disney World

11/10/2008

Davis Love III hit into the rough and a bunker on the last two holes. Then he hit the jackpot

Love scrambled for pars on both holes and closed with an 8-under 64 to win his first tournament in more than two years, holding off a late challenge from Tommy Gainey for a one-shot victory Sunday in the Children's Miracle Network Classic at Disney World.

It was the 20th career PGA Tour victory for Love, giving him a lifetime exemption. Among active players, only Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson have won at least 20 times.

Gainey, who had $65,405 in earnings heading into the final tournament of the year, shot 30 on the back nine including birdies on the final two holes for a 64. He made $496,800 to go from No. 228 to No. 148 on the money list. That gets him into the final stage of Q-School, and his conditional status for being in the top 150 should get him about 15 starts next year.

Love stepped in hole playing a recreational round last year and tore two ankle ligaments. During his time off, he worked harder on conditioning and spent time with sports psychologist Bob Rotella, who convinced him to adopt a take-no-prisoner's approach.

That came in handy over the final two holes.

Love went 64-64 on the weekend, the best final 36-hole score in the tournament's 38-year history.

Gainey went to the driving range after Love hit his second shot on 18 into the sand.

Scott Verplank and Steve Marino, tied for the lead going into the final round, each closed with 71 and tied for third. Verplank shot 38 on the front nine, and four straight birdies to start the back nine were not off to get him back into contention.

Verplank has been the 54-hole leader at Disney three times without winning.

Marino, however, matched birdies with Love and was tied for the lead when it all fell apart on the easy par-4 13th. With his tee shot just short of the green, Marino's pitch failed to clear the bunker and plugged into the slope of the sand. His next shot caromed off the lip of the bunker, and he took bogey to fall two shots behind.

Erik Compton, who has had two heart transplants and was playing on a sponsor's exemption, shot an even-par 72 and finished tied for 60th. The 28-year-old will be playing in the second stage of Q-School next week, only six months after his second transplant.

Leaderboard – Final:

1.   Davis Love III                 USA  66 69 64 64 263 -25
2.   Tommy Gainey                USA  68 66 66 64 263 -24
3.   Scott Verplank                 USA  64 64 69 71 268 -20
      Steve Marino                   USA  65 66 66 71 268 -20
5.   Joe Durant                      USA  68 68 68 65 269 -19
6.   Kevin Streelman              USA  64 69 69 68 270 -18
      Troy Matteson                 USA  63 68 69 70 270 -18
      Scott Sterling                   USA  70 63 66 71 270 -18
9.   Michael Allen                   USA  70 67 68 67 272 -16
10. Chris Stroud                     USA  70 68 66 69 273 -15
      Bob Estes                        USA  70 63 71 69 273 -15
      Cameron Beckman           USA  68 68 67 70 273 -15
      Tag Ridings                     USA  66 66 71 70 273 -15
      Tim Petrovic                     USA  67 67 68 71 273 -15
      Robert Garrigus                USA  65 67 68 73 273 -15

Source: AP, PGA Tour