Love trying to get back in shape for U.S. Open

Now that Davis Love III has moved up to No. 2 in the world rankings, he makes a pretty good case why he should be ahead of David Duval.

"Over the last month I haven't missed a shot," Love said. ``So maybe I ought to be No. 1."

Of course, he was kidding Wednesday on the eve of the Colonial. But the reason he hasn't missed a shot is no joke -- Love hasn't been able to play.

Back problems that first started creeping up on him in 1995, caused him to change his schedule in 1997 and to pull out of tournaments in 1998 seem to be getting worse.

Love withdrew from the MCI Classic the week after the Masters and didn't touch a club for three weeks. And when he picked them up last week to play 14 holes, he was in pain again.

"I think it will be OK," he said. ``I've played two days in a row, and I think I'm going to have to gradually work my way into it. Golf swing-wise, I feel fine. It's just that I get a little stiff if I play and walk too much."

The good news for Love is that his back troubles came when he already had about 10 years under his belt on the PGA Tour.

"If this had happened earlier, it would have been harder," he said. ``But at this point in my career, I can manage my game."

So far, he has managed quite well.

Love is one of three players this year who has earned more than $1 million without winning. One reason is because he has been in contention just about every week. Love leads the tour with eight finishes in the top 10, and has had four close calls.

He was second in Hawaii in the Sony Open, second behind Ernie Els in Los Angeles, missed the playoff in Bay Hill by one stroke and then finished second in the Masters despite pulling off the most remarkable shot of the year -- a birdie on the par-3 16th by playing his chip 25 feet left of the hole and letting it come back down the slope.

If Duval had an amazing run through the Masters by winning twice, Love wasn't far behind. While being in contention every week was mentally exhausting to Duval -- one reason he isn't at Colonial Country Club this week -- it took a physical toll on Love.

"I'm going to have to pace myself better and not play five weeks in a row," Love said.

Love decided against defending his title at the Chunichi Crowns in Japan, withdrew from the Compaq Classic in New Orleans and thought better about playing the Byron Nelson Classic, too.

If this were not the Mastercard Colonial, he might have taken this week off, too.

Love had to skip Colonial a year ago when his back bothered him, and he didn't want to miss it two years in a row.

For one thing, it's easy to walk. Even though it plays to a par-70 at 7,010 yards, the greens are close to the next tees. On the TPC at Sugarloaf, where Love tied for seventh in the BellSouth Classic, it takes about eight miles to get from the first tee to the 18th green.

And Colonial is loaded with tradition, from the nickname of "Hogan's Alley" to the Wall of Champions next to the first tee that includes some of the biggest names in golf -- Ben Hogan and Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus and defending champion Tom Watson.

Colonial also is the oldest PGA Tour event that has been played on the same course, dating to Hogan's first victory in 1946.

"It's a traditional golf course, a tournament with history and a great old club," Love said. "It would be great to win this tournament.''

Whether that's possible depends on his back.

Love laughed when asked if he were 100 percent, saying his back was closer to 75 percent. He is swinging a little easier, says he won't even think about trying to bomb any drives over the corner of some of the longest holes.

Then again, he made seven birdies during his pro-am round on Wednesday, "so it's probably good for me not to swing so hard."

The bigger concern is what lies ahead.

Love didn't exactly spring out of his chair when his 30-minute interview ended. And he wasn't about to go to the range to hit balls for another hour.

He plans to skip next week, then play the next three tournaments including the U.S. Open.

"Hopefully, when I get to the Open I'll be able to pound balls for a couple of hours," he said. "I've been lucky in that my swing hasn't been too far off. As long as it feels good, I'll be OK. I think I'm dialed in right now."

AP