Second dunk day for Davis

DEFENDING champion Cameron Davis is ruing a costly brain explosion after almost shooting himself out of Australian Open contention for the second day running.

After opening his defence of the Stonehaven Cup on Thursday with a watery quadruple bogey, Davis racked up another nasty eight on his second hole yesterday.

The 23-year-old recovered superbly to card a three-underpar 69 to be one over for the championship and still within touch — nine shots behind halfway leader Byeong Hun An.

But he was still cursing himself four hours after dunking his ball in the water on the teasing par-5 11th.

After a thumping drive, Davis couldn’t resist trying to reach the green in two, only to suffer that same sinking feeling he endured twice on Thursday.

“I had it in my head that there were four really good birdie opportunities on the back nine and I was just a little bit hot-headed in trying to go for it,” he said.

Davis began his round nine shots off the pace and in a tie for 100th.

“I was trying to make too much happen too early,” he said.

“It’s a little bit frustrating making another mental error out there. I’m in a position where I didn’t really have much to lose.”

As he did in round one, Davis clawed his way back into the tournament with a hot run.

Take away the first three holes on Thursday and yesterday’s opening effort — a nightmare collection totalling 10 over par — and Davis would be sitting atop the leaderboard.

“I’m proud of myself to bring it back again. I just don’t want to have to do that all the time,” he said.