Love back on top at Verizon Heritage

HILTON HEAD ISLAND , S.C. (AP) -- Davis Love III is back on top at Harbour Town.

The five-time tournament champion shot a 5-under 66 on Thursday for a share of the first-round lead in the Verizon Heritage with Justin Leonard and Lucas Glover .

The 44-year-old Love has struggled to bounce back from tearing ligaments in his left ankle last September. On Thursday, he shot his best round since August and gave him confidence things might keep improving at one of his favorite locales.

"It's getting close," Love said.

There have been many oddities for Love the past few months. He failed to qualify for the Masters, missing his first major championship since the 1990 U.S. Open.

"That was weird," Love said.

He spent the week with family, hunting turkeys and only sparingly tuned in to Masters coverage to follow his buddy Fred Couples and Brandt Snedeker , who spend time in Love's residence of Sea Island .

Love also worked to tune up his game to compete at a place where no one's won as much as he has.

"You keep sticking the tokens in the machine, eventually you'll get it right," Love said.

Not that it'll be easy.