SOUTHPORT, England -– Davis Love III, a future Hall of Famer, had to qualify to crack the fields at both the U.S. Open and here again at Royal Birkdale. Love shot 70 this morning and will spend the rest of the day sitting on +9. But he’s not exactly sitting on his hands. Asked after his round what he thought of unnamed American players who don’t enjoy British Open conditions, Love went off on a mild rant.

“I’ve got myself in trouble over the years chastising players,” Love told reporters behind the 18th green. “If you don’t want to come, don’t come. Kenny Perry is a great friend of mine, a great guy and a great Christian, and he’s doing what he wants to do, and he’s not complaining. That’s the way to do it. If you don’t like it, don’t come. If you don’t like the Masters, don’t play.

“This is the oldest tournament in the world, it’s the biggest in the world, and I want to be here. And I’m happy to be here. It’s frustrating [the conditions], and that’s why you need the determination of Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods to win. You always learn something from this. I’ll go back to the U.S., and I’ll be energized and excited by how I played here.”

Question: Would Davis have given the same answer if he had shot 80?

Answer: Yes. But not until next Tuesday.