Atlanta, April 12: Zach Johnson's surprise victory at the Masters has given fellow American Davis Love III a welcome boost as he approaches the twilight of his playing career. Love, who turns 43 on Friday, clinched his only major title at the 1997 PGA Championship but is confident he still has what it takes to land one of golf's biggest prizes.
"I know I can play with Zach Johnson and the guys you're going to have to beat now," Love told reporters on Wednesday as he prepared for this week's Heritage Classic in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

"Zach proved last week that Tiger (Woods) doesn't win every time he plays."

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Johnson held off a late challenge by world number one Woods to win the Masters by two shots on Sunday after a week of endurance on a brutally difficult, ultra-long Augusta National layout.

"You've just got to be patient," added Love, who is bidding for a record sixth title this week at the Harbour Town Golf Links.

"The Masters has certainly shown that for guys who work hard on their short game and work hard on being patient, kind of grinding-type players, it pays off there.

"You've seen guys like (Bernhard) Langer and (Jose Maria) Olazabal and (Nick) Faldo have done well there, and that's the kind of golf that Zach plays."

German Langer, Spaniard Olazabal and Briton Faldo won seven Masters titles between from 1985 to 1999.

Bureau Report