Love quite familiar with Pinehurst

PINEHURST, N.C. -- Davis Love III has probably played more rounds at Pinehurst No. 2 than anyone else gathered here this week for the U.S. Open.

Long before he won the 1984 North & South Amateur on this Donald Ross masterpiece, Love would tag along when his father came up to Pinehurst to teach in the Golf Digest Schools.

They’d be on the back range -- Davis and his father, along with Bob Toski, Peter Kostis, Jack Lumpkin -- “the whole gang,” Love recalls, “right down the list, even Sam Snead.

“Those are my best memories, summertimes here, before I was even old enough to appreciate being able to hang out with those guys,” Love said. “And then we’d play No. 2 in the afternoons.”

So for Love, who used to slip down to play Ross’ signature course while a student at North Carolina, coming back to this quaint little village feels “comfortable.” That he’s found a comfort zone with his golf course makes the visit even better.

Love enters the U.S. Open on the heels of a tie for second at last week’s Booz Allen Classic, played this year on another venerable course in Congressional Country Club. He shot in the 60s all four rounds, including a closing 66 on Sunday.

The second-place finish was Love’s second of the season, and his sixth top-10 of the year. His ball-striking has left him in a positive frame of mind, even if his putter merited some extra work on the practice green in the heat of Monday afternoon.

Davis Love III looks for his first U.S. Open title. (Hunter Martin/ WireImage)

“I hit it good last week,” said Love, who has finished among the top four in two of his last three starts. “I probably had more birdie chances than anyone. That’s what I needed – to hit the ball good and get some confidence.

“I’m feeling better and hitting it better. It’s just nice to put together a good tournament right before a major. I’ve been saying I’m close. It’s nice to actually get close and shoot some good scores.”

Love has an abundance of friends and fans in North Carolina. He recently opened his first signature golf course in North Carolina, Anderson Creek, in nearby Spring Lake. His family is coming up from Sea Island, Ga., on Tuesday.

The week, Love says, is going to be fun.

“A lot of people are excited and wondering what’s going on,” Love said, smiling. “How many practice rounds? How many times have you been there? But it’s not really going change for me. It’s the same golf course.

“I always tell people it’s just like Augusta. You’ve just got to hit good golf shots. I know what to do. I’ve just got to get out and play.”