Cameron Davis claims epic, maiden PGA Tour victory

July 5, 2021

Australia’s Cameron Davis has won an epic, five-hole playoff to claim his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JULY 04: Cam Davis of Australia reacts after making an eagle on the 17th hole during the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic on July 04, 2021 at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Australia’s Cameron Davis has prevailed after an epic, five-hole sudden-death playoff to claim his first victory on the PGA Tour.

It was Davis’ first victory in 71 starts on the PGA Tour, becoming the first international winner at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

“It’s still so surreal for me. I’ve been in some good positions before, but to play the golf that I played coming down the stretch was just awesome,” Davis said.

“So I’m sure I’ll be able to look back, I’m sure some of it’s on camera so I’m sure I’ll be able to relive some moments as well and really enjoy it again.”

A week after a PGA Tour event required eight extra holes to decide a winner, the Rocket Mortgage Classic needed five sudden-death playoff holes for an outright winner to claim the trophy.

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann and American Troy Merritt joined Davis in the playoff who had earlier got into the clubhouse at 18-under par.

Just a hole after missing a short putt for par, 26-year-old Davis holed out for eagle at the par-5 17th hole to get himself into a tie for the lead.

https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1411800962776371200

“I didn’t have anything to lose so it wasn’t like I was nervous on 17, I was just trying to hit a good bunker shot,”Davis said.

“Picked my spot and just flew it a little bit past it, jammed the flag.”

Minutes later, Davis played a stunning wedge shot to the par-4 18th holeThe resulting birdie earned the former Australian Open champion the clubhouse lead and a score of 18-under to chase.

Troy Merritt and Joaquin Niemann also carded a tournament round total of 18-under par and for the second straight week, the PGA Tour was set for a sudden-death playoff.

Niemann was the first two to bow out of the playoff after carding a bogey at the first playoff hole.

Davis set himself up for birdies on the next four playoff holes with some majestic iron play but couldn’t make a putt to break the deadlock.

In the end, it was Merritt who cracked first failing to get up and down at the par-3 15th hole, handing Davis his first tour victory.