Share the post “Cameron Davis doubles the lead in Detroit, Bhatia cracks on the 72nd last hole!”
At the end of a breathtaking suspense, the Australian Cameron Davis won the Rocket Mortgage Classic for the second time, thanks to a solid last round but also with the help of the fatal 3-putt committed on the last hole by the leader of the first three days, Akshay Bhatia.
Failing to have very high-sounding names at the top of the leaderboard, the Rocket Mortgage Classic offered a final round full of twists and turns. After offering a festival of birdies and eagles for three days, the Michigan tournament ended with a painful three-putt from the man who led the tournament from Thursday to Saturday evening, Akshay Bhatia.
There were many leaders this Sunday. Several men took turns at the top of the leaderboard before this unfortunate epilogue which gave the victory to the Australian Cameron Davis, crowned for the second time in this tournament. Davis whose best result in his last seven tournaments was a 38th place at the Wells Fargo Championship…
Find the complete final ranking
It’s first Aaron Rai who led alone in Detroit with an entry birdie, but the Englishman gradually gave up ground due to a great imprecise play. Then at hole n°7, after his third birdie of the day, Cam Davisin turn took control of the event.
The Australian with the velvet swing then lacked success in putting, with frustrating commas at 10 and 12 and he suffered a blow of fate that was difficult to swallow when his attack on the green in two on the par 5 of the 14th first hit the promised land… before accidentally slipping into the water after a few seconds of hesitation.
Bogey.
It was then believed that he would give in for good.
Min Woo Lee missed the fire !
Meanwhile, another ‘Aussie’ has entered the title fight. Min Woo Leealso chasing a first success on the PGA Tour, came within a point of the leaders thanks to two consecutive “chip ins” on the 14th and 15th!
Bhatia, Davis, Lee, Rai revived with a sublime shot “driver on the deck” (driver on the fairway) to hit the gree of 14 in 2, all seemed able to win a few cables from the end.
All, including Cameron Young.
Young, failed again…
Little by little, the bearded American is building a reputation as the “Poulidor” of golf. Seven times second on the American circuit, five times in the top 10 in Majors, player of Presidents Cup, the author of a 59 last week completely collapsed in the final sprint with two bogeys on his last three holes. His putting was erratic again in money time.
But it was his driver who bore the brunt of his frustration.
Min Woo Lee also doomed his chances with a bogey on the 18th. In the process, Davis saved a good par on the 72nd hole, forcing Rai to sign a birdie and Bhatia a par to go into the play-off.
Bhatia, the rescue then the crack
Bhatia, who was on 10 pars in a row, including one miraculous after a drive of less than 100 meters… But unexpectedly for a young player of 22 who had shown nerves during his recent victory at the Valero Texas OpenBhatia crackled.
His three-putt, 10 meters from the hole, offered Cameron Davis a second victory on the PGA Tour. His attempt from 6 feet (1.80m) for par is the only putt of this distance or less missed by the American this week. When we miraculously saved one at 13, that three-putt might seem a little unreal. Golf…
“I worked hard to get out of the slump of the last few weeks”
The victory of Cameron Davis (29 years old) is nonetheless deserved since the Sydney player is the only one to have played under par in the last 3 games.
« I wouldn’t wish what happened to Akshay on that last hole on anyone. I’ve worked hard to get myself out of the slump of the last few weeks, even seeing a hypnotherapist, confessed Cam Davis, moved. And suddenly it’s a lot better.… »
An amateur in the top 10
Further down the ranking, we find the title holder beyond 30th place. Rickie Fowlerwhich is definitely having trouble launching its 2024 season.
The other story of the day, beyond the fight for the final victory, was the great performance of the amateur Luke Clanton who conquered a nice top 10. The Florida State student perpetuates this “tradition” of this 2024 season where college students and even teenagers make people talk about them on the PGA Tour…
Le leaderboard
©Gregory Shamus / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
