Late Lesson Learned

After letting his emotions get the best of him at the Masters and the British Open, Davis Love III reminded himself to stay cool and businesslike in the first two rounds of the PGA Championship. As a result, he's tied for third.

SPRINGFIELD, N.J. (AP) -- Frustration cost Davis Love III a chance to play the weekend at two of the season's majors. Patience helped him reach the final rounds of the PGA Championship.

Love stayed cool and calm on a steamy Friday at Baltusrol, shooting a 2-under 68 to move into a tie for third place, four strokes behind Phil Mickelson after two rounds.

"I hit the ball solid, made a couple nice par putts and hit the ball real solid and played real patient golf,'' Love said.

That wasn't the case for the 1997 PGA champion when he failed to make the cut at the Masters and the British Open.

In 17 events this season, Love has finished in the top three twice, both times second at the MCI Heritage and Booz Allen Classic, and in the top 10 seven times. He has missed the cut seven times.

But the key to the 18-time winner's recent success might have first emerged at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, when he shrugged off an opening 77 and closed with a 69, rallying to a tie for sixth behind Michael Campbell.

The difference? Patience.

"The first 27 holes weren't that good at the U.S. Open.'' Love said, "and I kind of shot myself out of it to the point where I relaxed and maybe played better coming in, just because I felt like I was almost out of it.

"And I said this week, I was going to get off to a better start and be more patient and more focused on the first day. The last few majors, I've really gotten frustrated on the first day right out of the box when things didn't go my way.''

Love's patience was tested in the first two rounds. He was paired with defending champion Vijay Singh and fan favorite John Daly. The crowed following the threesome were large and noisy, and Love made the best of it.

After opening with a 68, Love, starting on the back nine, was tested again early in the second round when his drive on the 650-yard 17th hole drifted into the right rough and his second shot stopped in heavy rough far from the green.

But Love kept his businesslike demeanor, standing with his ankles crossed, chatting with his caddie, while waiting for the group ahead to finish. When it was his turn to play, he smoothed a 6-iron onto the green and made a two-putt par.

"I played similar to the way I did yesterday,'' he said. "A few good shots, and a few good putts. I left a few strokes both days, but I saved a few, too.

"It's a good start. You never know what's going to happen.''

The 41-year-old Love is playing for more than the Wanamaker Trophy this weekend. He's ninth in the standings for the Presidents Cup and can only help his cause with a strong showing.

The last time he was low on the list heading into the season's final major was 1997, the year he won his only major, the PGA Championship at Winged Foot.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved.