Davis buoyed by spell in States

Brian Davis returned to the European tour today with plenty of reasons to be cheerful – not just because of how things have been going on the course in America, but off it too.

“My wife is pregnant again. The baby is due towards the end of November,” said the Londoner, who qualified for this season’s US Tour and has already earned almost £400,000 (€584.7m).

Davis is married to the daughter of former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence and the couple plan to have the second child born in the United States, where they have now bought a house.

For the next few months, however, the 30-year-old’s focus is on Europe and trying to climb into the world’s top 50 from his current ranking of 81st, starting with the Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters at the Forest of Arden.

“I made the decision to do four months over there, three over here and a couple of months over there at the end of the season and I’m going to stick to it,” said Davis.

“Obviously if I get in the US Open next month I’ll go back, but I’m not going to go back and forward across the Atlantic for regular tournaments.

“It’s paid dividends because I cut my travelling for a start and I’m definitely a better player.”