Golf can take Tour professionals all over the world, whether it be by choice or necessity. For Davis Love III, his 19-hour trip from this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii to next week’s SMBC Singapore Open is a mixture of both.
Facing the decision of whether to head halfway around the world or simply island hop to the Big Island of Hawaii at next week’s PGA Tour Champions kick-off event, Mitsubishi Electric Championship, came down to what was on the line: a possible exemption into this year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
“Anytime you can play in a tournament that could get you into the Open Championship, then you go. That was a big reason for me,” Love III told GolfDigest.com of the SMBC Singapore Open, which is a part of the Open Qualifying Series.
Davis Love III and his son Dru will travel to Singapore next week in hopes of securing spots in The Open Championship. https://t.co/XnJynmcY5n pic.twitter.com/X9EdLmGxCa
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) January 13, 2019
The Open Qualifying Series gives four exemptions into the final major championship of 2019 to the four highest finishers in each of their events who are not otherwise already in the Open field.
“There were other factors involved, but playing for a spot in the Open put it over the top,” Love III said.
He’ll be bringing some good form to the Japan Golf Tour and the Asian Tour co-sanctioned event at Sensota Golf Club. Through 54 holes, the 54-year-old Love III is in a tie for fifth place at 11-under par, seven strokes back of leader Matt Kuchar.
While the trek to the Singapore Open seems like it could be an easy way to get into Love III’s first Open Championship since 2012, he’ll have some heady company to compete against; Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Ryo Ishikawa and Hosung Choi are also expected to tee it up.
