Cameron Davis’ quest to finish his PGA Tour season in style before returning to Australia is off to a solid start, having climbed into the mix at the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas.
The Sydneysider carded six birdies and two bogeys during a 67 at TPC Summerlin in the first round. Davis was four shots behind clubhouse leader, JT Poston. Poston’s 63 put him at eight-under and one shot ahead of Lanto Griffin.
Davis, who lives in Seattle, Washington with his wife, said after a strong season in which he earned seven top 10 results, he wanted two more – in Las Vegas and at next week’s Zozo Championship in Japan.
“Yeah, it’s been really nice to take what is probably the first real off-season I’ve been able to take since I turned pro,” said Davis, who had several weeks off in between the BMW Championship in August and restarting his season with a third place in Napa, California, in September. “With the way they planned out the year this year, I’m very happy that I played the good golf when I did to be able to afford to take some time off, and right now I’ve just been coming off not too much practice, just a lot of time relaxing and spending time with the family. Right now I’m in a good place, and I’m really enjoying golf right now. It always helps to play well, as well.
“I’ll play [the Zozo] next week, as well, and then I’ll wait until I get back to Australia at the end of the year. Not too much [golf], just enough to keep the competitive engine going.”
Davis’ fellow Sydneysider Harrison Endycott also started the Las Vegas event well, with a 70 leaving him at one under. Lucas Herbert was even par. Craig Hocknull, an Aussie teaching pro who qualified through a PGA of America qualifying event, was the only Australian in the afternoon wave.
