Davis is £270K worse off, but a true credit to golf
THE wonderful thing about the game of golf is no matter how intense the competition and whatever the level you play, its traditional values always shine through.
It couldn’t have got any more intense than at the Verizon Heritage in South Carolina on Sunday night when Londoner Brian Davis made a brave birdie at the tough final hole to set up a play-off with Jim Furyk for the £674,000 first prize.
But despite being so close to landing a first ever PGA Tour title, Davis called a two-shot penalty on himself after touching a loose reed on his backswing while in a hazard on the first extra hole.
This is a silly rule for me as it could be argued the reed was a growing obstacle and therefore could not be moved.
But what Brian did epitomises the game of golf and he deserves tremendous credit – especially as his morals cost him a cool £270,000!
Brian has now finished runner-up four times in the last four seasons, but if he continues to play as he did at the weekend, then that elusive win, and maybe even a Ryder Cup spot, will not be too far away.
Over in China, it was a frustrating weekend for the Welsh contingent with three finishing in the top four behind US PGA champion YE Yang. Rhys Davies, who won his maiden title in Morocco last month, continued his progression with a final round 67 to tie for second with former champion Stephen Dodd, while Jamie Donaldson finished tied for fourth.
Yang’s victory was his first since beating Tiger Woods in a head-to-head at Hazeltine last August and despite being pretty humble as to his progression since that day, it showed just what a classy performer he is.
THE wonderful thing about the game of golf is no matter how intense the competition and whatever the level you play, its traditional values always shine through.
It couldn’t have got any more intense than at the Verizon Heritage in South Carolina on Sunday night when Londoner Brian Davis made a brave birdie at the tough final hole to set up a play-off with Jim Furyk for the £674,000 first prize.
But despite being so close to landing a first ever PGA Tour title, Davis called a two-shot penalty on himself after touching a loose reed on his backswing while in a hazard on the first extra hole.
This is a silly rule for me as it could be argued the reed was a growing obstacle and therefore could not be moved.
But what Brian did epitomises the game of golf and he deserves tremendous credit – especially as his morals cost him a cool £270,000!
Brian has now finished runner-up four times in the last four seasons, but if he continues to play as he did at the weekend, then that elusive win, and maybe even a Ryder Cup spot, will not be too far away.
Over in China, it was a frustrating weekend for the Welsh contingent with three finishing in the top four behind US PGA champion YE Yang. Rhys Davies, who won his maiden title in Morocco last month, continued his progression with a final round 67 to tie for second with former champion Stephen Dodd, while Jamie Donaldson finished tied for fourth.
Yang’s victory was his first since beating Tiger Woods in a head-to-head at Hazeltine last August and despite being pretty humble as to his progression since that day, it showed just what a classy performer he is.