There are countless reasons why more Americans don't play in the British Open, but Davis Love says he's yet to hear a really good one.
"If you're going to call yourself a world-class player, you can't skip this one," said Love, who will be in his 10th British Open when play begins Thursday."You know to have so few Americans come over to try and qualify is embarrassing," Love added. "The guys that do come - they recognize what it means. . . . I think worldwide, winning this tournament would make you more recognized around the world than probably any other."
"If I could only win one major, this would be the one."
The 32-year-old American doesn't have a victory in any of the four majors and will be branded until he does as the "best player never to have won one."
He missed a putt on the final hole in this year's U.S. Open to finish tied for second with Tom Lehman, a stroke behind winner Steve Jones.
"It affected me a while and I thought about it all the time, but you go on," Love said. "That's why there's four of them a year . . . I'm not going to give up after letting one get away."
He had been close before. He tied for fourth in the '95 U.S. Open and was second in the '95 Masters. But he's never done well in Britain, a 24th-place tie his best seven years ago.
"I would say I enjoy this one more than the other ones," Love said. "I know the Masters in Georgia in springtime is pretty exciting, but if there's one tournament during the year that I look forward to the most, it's probably this one."
Americans make up 44 of the 156-player field at Royal Lythan and St. Annes Golf Club, but it probably should be a much larger percentage given the large number American players on the PGA Tour.
Love said he and fellow American Brad Faxon agreed there should be penalties for Americans who don't try to qualify. Exempt players who don't come shouldn't play in the Ryder Cup, he added.
"Air travel is easier and easier," Love said. "Guys go to Hawaii and that's a longer trip for guys on the east coast.
"I can buy the expense thing for a younger guy. If they have to go and qualify and don't make it, (they) miss two tournaments, and guys can go by you on the money lists. But there's no reason for a guy who's exempt regularly on our tour not to come over and try."
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
British Open Golf
Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lancashire, England July 18-21
Royal Lytham and St. Annes, in Lancashire, England, first hosted the British Open Championship in 1926. American Bobby Jones won the first of three titles that year, and his victory is marked by a plaque next to a bunker on the 17th hole.
John Daly shot a 67 in the first round of last year's Open, at St. Andrews. He faltered later, though, eventually eking out his victory in a playoff with Constantino Rocca of Italy.
Past champions Score
1995 J. Daly* 282
1994 N. Price 268
1993 G. Norman 267
1992 N. Faldo 272
1991 I. Baker-Finch 272
1990 N. Faldo 270
1989 M. Calcavecchia 275
1988 S. Ballesteros 273
1987 N. Faldo 279
1986 G. Norman 280
1985 A.W.B. Lyle 282
*won in playoff
HOLE YARDS PAR HOLE YARDS PAR
1 206 3 10 334 4
2 437 4 11 542 5
3 457 4 12 198 3
4 393 4 13 342 4
5 212 3 14 445 4
6 490 5 15 463 4
7 553 5 16 357 4
8 418 4 17 467 4
9 164 3 18 414 4
OUT 3,330 35 IN 3,562 36
TOTAL Yards: 6,892, Par: 71
Source: 1996 Viewers Guide To The PGA TOUR