‘This is crazy’: How hypnosis led Aussie out of ‘doldrums’ to PGA Tour triumph
Cameron Davis broke down in tears after becoming the first Australian to win on the PGA Tour in more than a year, saying he even turned to hypnosis in a bid to reverse a torrid run of form.
The former Australian Open champion’s victory in the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit on Monday morning (AEST) was his second PGA Tour event triumph. He won the same event three years ago in a dramatic play-off.
But this one was extra special for the world No.67, who missed the cut at both the US PGA Championship and US Open in the past two months. His previous best finish this year was tied-12th at the US Masters.
But after American Akshay Bhatia (17 under) pulled a four-foot putt to force a play-off – the first time he’d three-putted all tournament – Davis (18 under) was stunned to learn he had prevailed after a rollercoaster two-under 70 in his final round.
“I don’t know what to say,” Davis said. “From where I was a couple of weeks ago until today, I’m just a completely different person. I’m quite emotional, actually. I don’t wish what happened to Akshay on anyone. I’ve done a lot of grinding to kind of get myself out of a hole, to just all of a sudden do that ...
“I started working with a hypnotherapist a couple of weeks ago to take another angle and try to get myself sorted out.
Cameron Davis celebrates with the Rocket Mortgage Classic trophy in Detroit.
“I’ve got so many awesome people behind me, helping me along the way. I had a lot of support to get me out of the doldrums there. I saw a little bit of a spark last week, but nothing to show this [was] coming. This is crazy.”
Fellow Australian Min Woo Lee finished in a tie for second with Bhatia, Davis Thompson and England’s Aaron Rai – one shot behind Davis – after scuffing his way to a bogey on his 72nd hole.
Lee tipped out Davis and Australia’s former British Open champion Cameron Smith for the second spot on the men’s Olympics team, with Jason Day.
Davis thought his chances might have expired when an ambitious three wood on his second shot into the par-five 14th hole rolled back off the green and into the water. He signed for a bogey.
But he picked up a shot on the par-five 17th and watched Bhatia only par the same hole and then slip up on the 72nd.
It’s been lean pickings for Australians on the PGA Tour in recent years. Day was the last victor, in the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic in May last year.
Adam Scott hasn’t won a PGA Tour event since the COVID-19 pandemic and Lee is still hunting for his first PGA Tour success despite being successful on the DP World Tour.