Sunday, November 3, 2024

‘This is crazy’: Aussie star wins PGA thriller, left in tears after rival’s $2.5 meltdown

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A brutal twist on the 72nd hole has seen Australia’s Cameron Davis win the Rocket Mortgage Classic following a thrilling five-way shootout on the final day.

The Sydneysider looked certain to be heading to a playoff against Akshay Bhatia on Monday morning with the pair locked at 18-under.

Davis won, however, after Bhatia crumbled on the final green with a three-putt from no where.

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Bhatia safely made the green in regulation but left his first putt four feet short of the hole.

The American, who didn’t have a single three-putt for the entire tournament, lipped out the short putt to make bogey. The bogey at the last was only Bhatia’s second dropped shot for the entire week.

It assured Davis’ 18-under was enough to take home the $2.5m top prize, three years after he won the same event.

And it triggered emotional scenes from Davis who choked back tears in his post-round interview.

“This is crazy,” he said.

“I don’t know what to say, sorry. From where I was two weeks ago to today I’m a completely different person — I’m a little emotional actually.

“I don’t wish that (ending) on anyone, but I did a lot of grind to get out of a hole and to all of a sudden (win) … it’s pretty good.”

Davis rolls into water off the green! | 00:52

Bhatia’s stumble also meant Min Woo Lee would share a tie for second, along with Davis Thompson and Aaron Rai.

Lee, however, will also be wondering what might’ve been after a cruel blunder of his own on the final hole.

After a lacklustre even-par front nine, Lee made birdies at No.10, 14, 15 and 17 — an explosive run that featured his second chip-in birdie of the day.

Poised to take the solo clubhouse lead at 18-under, Lee overshot the final green, before an awkward, downhill third shot ran past the hole and off the green.

The rising star only narrowly missed another chip for par, forcing him to settle for a bogey, and tournament score of 17-under.

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