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 over a year, revealing he even turned to hypnosis to overcome a challenging stretch of poor form. The former Australian Open champion secured his victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit on Monday morning (AEST), marking his second triumph in a PGA Tour event. He previously won the same event three years ago in a dramatic playoff.

This win was particularly meaningful for the world No. 67, who had missed the cut at both the US PGA Championship and the US Open in recent months. His best finish this year had been a tie for 12th place at the US Masters.

Davis was stunned to learn he had won after a rollercoaster two-under 70 in his final round, especially after American Akshay Bhatia missed a four-foot putt that would have forced a playoff. It was the first time Bhatia had three-putted all tournament, leaving Davis to claim victory at 18 under par, one shot ahead of Bhatia who finished at 17 under.

“I don’t know what to say,” an emotional Davis remarked. “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…”

Davis credited his turnaround to working with a hypnotherapist over the past few weeks, seeking a new approach to get his game back on track. “I started working with a hypnotherapist a couple of weeks ago to take another angle and try to get myself sorted out. 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 tied for second with Bhatia, Davis Thompson, and England’s Aaron Rai, all one shot behind Davis, after a bogey on his 72nd hole. Lee’s performance earned him a spot on the men’s Olympics team, edging out Davis and Australia’s former British Open champion Cameron Smith, with Jason Day also securing a spot.