The last 12 months have been nothing but a fantastic ride for Cameron Davis.
The 23-year old from Roseville on Sydney’s lower north shore, picked up his maiden professional win in November at the Emirates Australian Open, then last weekend lifted his first Web.com title with a barnstorming finish in the Nashville Golf Open with a final round he described as ‘awesome’.
“It was one of those rounds where everything was going my way, and to actually finish up and then find out that no one was going to reach the same number was a different feeling altogether.
"I got that much excitement out of playing a really good round of golf, then to top it off with the win was just like ooh, awesome!” Davis said.
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A far cry from battling to keep his Mackenzie Tour card in Canada last year to where he is today, Davis is still in awe at how far he has progressed in such a relatively short period of time.
From only having limited status on the Web.com Tour in the United States and a handful of invitations to events at the beginning of the year, Davis now has the luxury of choosing which events he wants to play in for the remainder of 2018, and of course the chance of the odd tournament invite or two on the PGA Tour.
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“It’s a massive improvement from where I was about a month ago, where I was lucky just to be getting a start through a sponsor's exemption.
“We’ve made some good steps since then.
“All of a sudden, I have most of the year filled up with tournaments, and it is kind of a new experience for me,” Davis said.
His schedule over the next few months is shaping up nicely with a couple of Majors on the horizon and this week’s PGA Tour event, The Memorial at Muirfield Village in Dublin Ohio.
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“I’ve got this week to look forward to,” he said, referring to the tournament hosted by the legendary Jack Nicklaus.
“I’ve just played nine holes, and I am sitting back going, wow! How good is this place!
“Muirfield Village is just one of those golf courses, it is next level in every way.
“Every hole is so cool. The rough is really deep, the greens are so quick.
“I can’t wait to get started this week.”
Davis is well aware of how well he will need to play this week to be a chance. The field at the Memorial is traditionally one of the strongest of the year, and any one of a bunch of players could win. He likes his chances, and said the key will be how well he can hit the longer clubs in his bag.
“You just know there is going to be a bunch of guys who are going to have a great week and tear the course up.
“It's there for the taking, and if you’re hitting fairways with your driver, it isn’t that difficult; but miss the fairway, and it becomes brutal.
“If I am hitting the ball straight with my longer clubs, and roll the putts, well…” he smiled.
“Lately it’s been enough to get the win in a Web.com event, but this is the next step up again, and I’m going to need everything I’ve got to really challenge these guys.”
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Next on his radar is sectional qualifying for the US Open at Shinnecock Hills which gets underway on June 14th. He will take his place alongside a host of other as yet unqualified PGA Tour stars next Monday at the Lakes Golf and Country Club/Brookside Golf and Country Club venues chasing a spot in the year's second Major.
“A good day on Monday will get me into another Major,” Davis added.
“As long as I can stay fresh and I have enough energy and be ready to play 36 holes of tough high-level golfstraight after a big tournament like this one about to start.
“I would like to be able to give it my very best effort. If I can have a good day then it’s another big opportunity ahead of me.
“I would love to take that with both hands.”
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Regardless of whether he gets to make his Major debut at the US Open, Davis will be teeing it up in The Open Championship at Carnoustie in July. It is a course he’s familiar with and knows will suit his game. He is hoping to get some links-golf experience under his belt in the lead-up with a start in either the Irish or Scottish Open.
“I played Carnoustie in the British Amateur a few years ago. I know what’s ahead of me.
“I’ve played it in calm conditions, and in very difficult conditions. I have some very good memories from there.
“I know it’s going to be a whole different challenge preparing for an Open instead of an Amateur though. The rough will be longer, the tees will be further back, the greens will be firmer, and I’m sure there will be a few more people out there than the 10 or so that watched me in the Amateur,” he grinned.