Cam Davis was on edge, preparing for a playoff, when a twist of fate sealed his victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Akshay Bhatia’s fateful 4-foot putt started left, veered right, brushed the edge of the cup, and heartbreakingly rolled away. With that, Davis claimed the title for a second time.
Davis closed with a 2-under 70 on Sunday, giving him a one-shot victory after Bhatia’s three-putt from 32 feet on the final hole. “I wouldn’t wish what happened to Akshay on anyone,” Davis shared. “But I’ve done a lot of grinding to kind of get myself out of a hole and just all of a sudden to do that, it’s pretty good.”
This win marks Davis’s second career victory on the PGA Tour, his first being three years ago at the Detroit Golf Club. Since tying for 12th at the Masters in April, this season had been less than stellar for him, with his best finish being 38th. Recently, a hypnotherapist helped Davis find his groove again. “I saw a little bit of a spark last week, but nothing to show this [was] coming. This is crazy,” the Australian golfer remarked.
Davis tied with Bhatia after a birdie on the par-5 17th hole. This set the stage for Bhatia’s nerve-wracking moment on the 18th where his short par attempt missed low and right, marking his first three-putt of the week. “Just a little bit of nerves, honestly,” Bhatia admitted. “I’m human.”
Finishing at 18-under 270, Davis’s victory came amidst a day filled with missed opportunities for Bhatia and Aaron Rai. Each golfer shot an even-par 72, with Bhatia making two crucial bogeys during the final round. Davis Thompson and Min Woo Lee also finished just one shot back.
Ranked 67th in the world, Davis became the first two-time winner of the Rocket Mortgage Classic since its debut on the PGA Tour in 2019. “It’s just nice to know that I can get my hands on another trophy,” he said.
Bhatia, at 22, was in the hunt for his third PGA Tour title and second of the year, leading or sharing the lead after each of the first three rounds. Coming off a fifth-place finish at the Travelers Championship, marred by climate protesters storming the 18th green, Bhatia reflected, “I know how to close a golf tournament. I’ve done it before. Just today wasn’t my day.”
Cameron Young, a seven-time runner-up, finished in sixth place after two bogeys over the last three holes and a broken driver shaft on the 14th. Young’s search for his first tour win continues.
Earlier in the day, Rai briefly took the lead on the first hole with a near-perfect approach shot. Bhatia stumbled on the third hole, landing his approach in thick rough and leading to a bogey. He momentarily recovered with a 31-foot birdie putt on the fourth but couldn’t maintain the momentum. “It’s a very tough situation to be in for him and for someone to be the benefactor of that is a bit of a weird situation to be in,” Davis reflected. “At the same time, just so much relief because it has been a long time since I’ve come out on top. I’m going to make sure I start enjoying it and really appreciating it.”
In an unpredictable finale at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Cam Davis emerged victorious, demonstrating resilience and skill. His win, marked by twists and turns, underscores the highs and lows inherent in the sport of golf.
Source: Espn
