Davis stars as Day fades
Rookie holds nerve to upstage big names
Cameron Davis teed up in the Australian Open hoping to just make the cut.
Four days later he walked away with the trophy.
In only his 18th start as a professional golfer, a stunned Davis lifted the Stonehaven Cup yesterday following a helter-skelter final round at The Australian Golf Course.
It was not only Davis’ first victory as a pro, it was his first top 10 finish.
But the $225,000 prize cheque was well deserved for the 22-year-old Sydneysider after he held his nerve while stars like Jason Day fell away under the pressure.
Starting the day six shots off Day’s lead and, critically, six groups ahead, Davis carded a superb 64.
After being one of four players to taste the lead in the last nine holes, Davis (pictured) nailed a birdy on the 18th to finish as clubhouse leader.
Final-round pair Day and Lucas Herbert had earlier looked unassailable at the top but Day dropped four shots in five holes to drift away mid-round, and Herbert dropped four after the turn as the pressure ratcheted up.
Matt Jones and Jonas Blixt, who finished tied for second, both had late runs but fell short. Swede Blixt had a 10-foot birdie putt on the last to force a playoff but missed it, leaving Davis gobsmacked on the practice range when told he’d won.
“I was just doing my own thing when someone came and told me it was all over. I didn’t know what to say, it was a bit of a shock really,” Davis (pictured) said.
“I have seen everything on TV and seen guys win this tournament, you never think you’re going to be there.
“You want to be there but you have no idea what the road is going to be like to get there.
“It’s always been a dream to win a big tournament but I had no idea how it was going to come about. For this to be it, I am just so happy.”
Top 10: 1 Cameron Davis -11, T2 Matt Jones -10, T2 Jonas Blixt -10, 4 Cameron Smith -9, 5 Jason Day -8, T6 Mark Brown -7, T6 Lucas Herbert -7, 8 Jordan Spieth -6, 9 Matthew Guyatt -5, T10 Travis Smyth -4, T10 James Marchesani -4