The rainbow will never leave
Inspired by late father, Love was zoned in from the start
From Jim Huber, CNN/SI
Posted: Mon August 18, 1997 at 3:10 PM ET
MAMARONECK, New York -- It took Davis Love III 11 long, frustrating seasons to finally achieve his moment in the sun; and then, just a little while longer through the rain that pelted Winged Foot during his closing holes on Sunday.
In one of the most moving moments in golf history, as the man so often described as the best player never to have won a major, walked his final fairway at the 79th PGA Championship, on a course called the toughest they would ever play, the storm clouds actually parted. The sun beamed down again. And not one, but two rainbows settled majestically over his head.
"I tried not to look," Love said. "Everybody was yelling, 'Look at the rainbow! Look at the rainbow!' It was hard to keep my composure those last few holes, much less think about my dad. But it was very neat, and I hope there's a great picture of that, with those two rainbows overhead as I was putting out."
His brother and caddy, Mark Love, was helping Davis stay fixated on golf.
"We were trying to not think about it until we got it done," Mark Love said. "We were trying to not think about that rainbow until we finished the last hole."
Believe what you will, but who would dare doubt that Davis' late father had a hand on his son's shoulder, steadying him, guiding this enormous step. Davis Love Jr. was a golf pro who gave his son his name, his game and so much of his inspiration even after perishing in a plane crash nine years ago.
"I told Davis, 'Dad knows.' And he said, 'Yes, I know,' " said Love's mother, Penta Love. "So, yeah, he was along all the way."
In that sense, Love said the final round of his first major victory was no different from any other day he plays.
"It's hard to explain, and maybe that's not right," Love said. "But this win is an accumulation of a lot of hard work from a lot of people. My dad didn't want anything out of my golf game except for me to do my best. And I think his influence is great for me every day."
That Love's best came at Winged Foot made it even more special. It is one of the great and historic courses in the world, where even par was considered an achievement, but where Love managed to reach 11-under, turning back the reigning British Open champion, Justin Leonard, at every turn.
"This is just a perfect golf course for me," Love said. "It sets up great. The way the rough was around the greens, it just played right into my hands. I knew if I could be patient, I could win."
The runner-up was gracious in defeat.
"I knew going into the day that obviously if I won, I'd be happy," Leonard said. "But if Davis won, I'd be happy as well. I'm still very disappointed. But at the same time, it's great to see a guy like Davis win because he's a good friend. And just because he's a great guy."
Love was 0-for-38 in the major tournaments over his career coming to the PGA. He finished close so often, especially at the Masters and the U.S. Open, only to fall back in the end. But those closest to him said they saw a noticeably different Davis Love III this week.
"I looked in Davis' face the very first day. I knew he was focused," his mother said. "The intensity on his face was: 'I'm here for a mission.' I just sensed it all week."
Said Mark Love, "I think it was just a matter of him feeling real good about the total package. That gave him a lot of confidence and a lot of composure."
For his part, Love the golfer said he felt at the start of the week that it would be special.
"To pull it off the way I did, to come in with a good round ... Justin and I could've very easily had a bogey contest today, to see who could make the least. And we both played very well. I feel very fortunate to have won this championship."
He has won before, 10 times, and made millions of dollars and has many admirers. But this victory takes him a step beyond. The actual rainbow disappeared minutes after his last putt, a birdie, had settled. The shadow rainbow will likely remain inside this gallant young man forever.
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