Read more: Akshay Bhatia and Aaron Rai Share Lead Heading into Final Round of 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic
DETROIT, July 1st, 2024 - In dramatic fashion, Australian golfer Cameron Davis has claimed his second career PGA Tour title after America's Akshay Bhatia squandered a chance at victory with a crushing final hole meltdown.
Davis and 22-year-old Bhatia had been locked together at 18-under par heading to the 72nd hole of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club. It seemed destined for a playoff between the pair.
However, disaster struck for Bhatia when his short par putt horribly lipped out, leaving a tapping bogey. It was only the second dropped shot of the week for the American, who was flawless until that moment.
The bogey opened the door for Davis, whose 18-under total after a steady final round of 2-under 70 was enough to take the tournament by a single shot. Davis couldn't believe what had unfolded on the final green.
“This is crazy. I wouldn’t wish what happened to Akshay on anyone. But I’ve done a lot of grinding to get myself out of a hole and to all of a sudden do that, it’s pretty good.”
It's Davis' first title since winning the same Rocket Mortgage Classic three years ago, snapping a poor run of form where his best result was 12th at The Masters in April.
“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 coming.
“I started working with a hypno-therapist a couple of weeks ago just to take another angle in trying to get myself sorted out. From where I was a couple weeks ago until today, just a completely different person.”
He credited a recent focus on hypnotherapy for turning his game around.
“I honestly haven’t been in a very good place mentally at all for the last six months or so,” he said. “I felt like all the opportunities have been slipping out of my hands as the year progresses without playing very good golf.
“I had a great week at the Masters and it feels like since then it all had just left me.
“I felt like a change of direction was definitely needed, something that I was actually going to stick to because I’m definitely someone that will start doing something and if it doesn’t feel like it’s helping straight away, it’s very easy to drop it.
“I felt a lot better last week even though the score didn’t show it, and to have it turn into this week is hard to believe really because I was not in a good place two or three weeks ago.”
Meanwhile, Bhatia was left shattered by his meltdown. "I mean, just sucks. No other way to put it," the dejected 22-year-old said, struggling to explain his nerves on the last.
Fellow Australian Min Woo Lee finished in a tie for second after a final hole bogey of his own, along with Davis Thompson and Aaron Rai.
It was a dramatic conclusion to the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic and a memorable second PGA Tour win for Australia's Cameron Davis, who has rebounded strongly from a slump with an against-all-odds victory.
Min Woo Lee
One of the loudest roars in my life. We will keep knocking on that door. Thank you @RocketClassic and Detroit, the support was unbelievable. Tied 2nd. Lets keep the stove on for the European summer. 🤝🧑🍳🧡 pic.twitter.com/65tbHtfmHT
— Min Woo Lee (@Minwoo27Lee) July 1, 2024
Min Woo Lee appeared poised for a chance at the title down the stretch.
After shooting an even-par front 9, Lee caught fire on the back 9 with birdies at holes 10, 14, 15, and 17, including a stunning chip-in at 15.
This surge moved Lee within one shot of the lead as he headed to the par-5 18th tee box at 17-under for the tournament.
However, disaster struck for Lee on the final hole. He pushed his tee shot into the deep rough and was unable to reach the green with his second.
After pitching out, Lee then ran his third shot, a downhill chip, well past the hole and off the green entirely.
Facing a difficult downhill pitch from the fringe, Lee nearly chipped in but missed and was left with a pressure-packed par putt to join the playoff.
Unfortunately, the pressure appeared to get to Lee and he missed the par attempt, resulting in a closing bogey to finish one shot back, tied for second at 16-under.
It was a cruel way for Lee's scorching back 9 to finish, as a par on 18 would likely have earned him a spot in the playoff.
While disappointing, the strong week showed Lee's quality and potential - he just came up short at the worst possible time on the final hole.
Aaron Rai
Driver off the deck from 283 yards into the wind.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 30, 2024
Aaron Rai is giving it all he's got @RocketClassic. pic.twitter.com/zz1PlOgHQc
Rai had been steady throughout the tournament, hitting 48 of 54 greens in regulation (88.89%) and posting an 83.33% driving accuracy rate, the best in the field. He briefly took the solo lead on the back nine on Saturday before a bogey on the 15th hole dropped him back into a tie with Bhatia.
In the final round, Rai and Bhatia continued to compete shot for shot. However, Rai was unable to distance himself or make a decisive move. He shot a 1-under 71 to finish 18-under for the tournament, tied for second with Cam Davis.
Bhatia had a chance to win on the 72nd hole, but three-putted for bogey to fall back into the tie for second. Cameron Davis took advantage, making a birdie on the final hole to win the tournament at 19-under par.
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