Davies cuts it with the men despite shaky start

LAURA DAVIES, who was so racked with nerves she hardly slept a wink, overcame debilitating pressures to make a credible debut on the European Tour at the ANZ Championship in Australia yesterday.

In one of only two men's professional tournaments in the world to use the modified stableford points format, Davies recovered from a shaky start to sink two birdies on her back nine and finish on minus one point.

To put that performance into context, Australia's Nick O'Hern led the field after the first round on 18 points while Jeppe Huldahl brought up the rear on minus seven.