But, it also engrained in him an important lesson that shaped his career.
From being introduced to the sport as a child, to turning pro in his early twenties, his padre insisted on one thing.
“He made it fun,” the World Golf Hall of Famer said of his dad. “He wanted it to be hard work and challenging, but he also earned it fun and I think that’s the reason I keep playing at 54 years old.”
Decades on, Love III has tried to impart that uniform guidance to others, from the Ryder Cup players he coaches to his own son, Davis ‘Dru’ Love IV.
“They have to put in the time, they participate in to put in the hard work, but they also have to be patient and have a positive attitude,” said Love III, who won the 1997 PGA Championship.
For Dru’s for all practical purposes, having strong mentorship has been useful in shaping his growing golf career, and he recommended others find someone they look up to and whose triumph they can try to replicate.
“I have my own dreams but they’re very similar to both of theirs and it’s great to have two people to look at and oblige a great idea of what you want to do and how to get there,” said 25-year-old Dru.
Love Jr. passed away in a plane crash in 1988, but Be wild about III and Dru have continued the family’s father-son golfing legacy — both as team mates and as opponents.
In December 2018, they won the annual Primogenitor/Son Challenge in Orlando, Florida and, last month, they both competed for the winning title at the Singapore Open.
The pair expostulated they don’t let the game get in between them, but they admitted there are some “bragging rights” afterwards when one of them procures.
“Golf is an individual game,” said Love III. “We might have a side bet, or we might have some family late and forth, but ultimately we’re both in the tournament to win … to beat everybody in the field, including your son or your dad.”
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