Davis handed Masters boost

Brian Davis received confirmation this morning that he has earned a place in the Masters – by the skin of his teeth.

After missing the halfway cut in the Players Championship in Florida, Davis flew home to England 47th in the world and had to wait to see if he kept a place in the top 50.

It was touch-and-go throughout the weekend at Sawgrass, especially with Americans Kevin Sutherland and Frank Lickliter battling for the title. But they each had to win to go above Davis and could not manage it.

Rocco Mediate, Stewart Cink and Alex Cejka went past the Londoner, but he is now 50th and will be returning to Augusta next week – providing there are no late dramas with his wife Julie, daughter of former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence. She is expecting their first child in a few weeks.

Padraig Harrington’s runners-up finish, meanwhile, has put a European back in the world’s top 10.

The Dubliner goes to eighth, while winner Adam Scott is now 12th.