Golf-Spring in the step for Love after Johnson's Masters win

ATLANTA, Apr 12 (Reuters) 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 tomorrow, 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 yesterday 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.'' 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.

MASTERS PREPARATION The long-hitting Love has gotten to know Johnson fairly well in recent years and practised with the Iowa native in the build-up to last week's Masters.

''He's a popular guy,'' he said. ''He's working hard on his game, and he's working with the right people.

''Everybody is happy for him because they know how much he's put into it.

''He's doing everything he can to make himself a better player.

He's a pretty straightforward, hard-working guy, and it's nice to see that pay off.'' Although Love has always relished playing at Harbour Town, he feels one reason why he enjoys such a good record there stems from his Masters preparation the previous week.

''The reason I've had success in the spring is the same reason Zach Johnson played well last week,'' the North Carolina native said.

''We do a lot of things to get ready for the Masters and it spills over sometimes the week after, sometimes the week before. I think the reason I've played well here is just being prepared.'' A five-times winner at Hilton Head, Love has produced 11 top-10s at the tournament in 21 starts, including seven top-three placings.

The Heritage Classic starts today.

REUTERS DKS PM0517