Top golf players with the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Vijay Singh have won PGA Tours more or less 20 times. This year Davis Love III had his victory of a lifetime at the Tour. For his 20th year career at the PGA, he finally earned himself lifetime exemption.
At Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Love made a strike into the rough and bunker for the last two holes. Later, he dramatically hit the jackpot, making the one shot victory against Tommy Gainey at the Children’s Miracle Network in Disney World.
This time, in more than two years, the 44 year old Davis consistently struggled for pars and closed with an 8-under 64 on both holes. In an interview after the game, he claimed he constantly questioned himself if he was doing the right thing or even why he was still doing it. But he said he eventually tried to do the things he needed to do while taking his shots. Despite the questions, he never doubted his desire to compete, much more win the game.
Gainey headed to the final tournament this year with great anticipation as well. He made a shot 30 on the back nine. This included birdies on final two holes for 64. With his current earnings he advanced himself from rank 228 to number 148 on the money list. His victories led him to the final level of Q-School. Many believed that his status in the top fifty will give him 15 starts in 2009.
Gainey claimed he did not play well this year. He even described it as a terrible and a horrible performance. But he is making his loss this year as a catalyst to assure him of a place and a victory next year.