Australian Open: Cameron Davis clinches title

The 22-year-old Australian clinched his first professional title with a stunning 7-under-par 64, winning by just one stroke from Swede Jonas Blixt and 2015 champion Matt Jones.

Davis was six shots behind heading into the tense final round at Sydney’s Australian Golf Club, with four players taking the lead at various stages.

"I didn't know where I was, to be honest, after the third round," Davis said of his six-stroke deficit. "I'm just glad I did enough today to get the job done."

Cameron Smith, also from Australia, finished fourth at 9-under after closing with a 68, while overnight leader Jason Day faded to fifth at 8-under after shooting a 73.

Davis and Blixt shared the top spot on the back nine. But the Australian made a spectacular eagle at the 12th and birdied the final hole to finish on 11-under-par. Blixt, who tied with Jones in second place, missed a 15-foot birdie putt on the last to force a playoff.

"It was quite a simple putt, maybe a little longer than I would have wanted," Blixt said. "I thought it was a lot quicker than it was."

Davis, considered one of Australia's most promising young players, had been struggling to move up the golf rankings since turning professional in October 2016. Now the world number 1,494 joins the honor roll of champions engraved on the Stonehaven Cup, and has earned himself a place at next year's British Open.

The Australian Open was the first of 15 events making up The Open qualifying series for 2018.

nm/rc (AFP, Reuters, AP)