Davies wins in Morocco

The name of Rhys Davies can be added to the list of British players making their mark in the world of golf.

A team-mate of Rory McIlroy at the 2007 Walker Cup, the 24-year-old from Bridgend is now a European Tour winner as well after taking the Hassan Trophy in Morocco by two shots yesterday.

Davies, in his first full season on the circuit after twice failing to come through the qualifying school, could not quite believe it after he finished a superb 25 under par at Royal Des Es Salam.

“I’m a little bit lost at the moment – this is all completely surreal to me,” said the former British boy champion and American college star.

“I didn’t really think very much out there. It was all a bit of a blur.”

Told about his eight birdies from the fourth to the 14th the Bridgend golfer admitted: “I didn’t know I did that.

“I just felt I could make every putt and felt in control of my swing. That was the best I’ve hit it all week.”

Davies closed with a seven under par 66 to overtake 54-hole leader Louis Oosthuizen, the South African being forced to settle for his fourth runners-up finish on the European Tour.

Wales, of course, are staging the Ryder Cup for the first time in October.

Davies, third and first on his last two starts, has become his country’s only player in the world’s top 100, but is not thinking about Celtic Manor just yet.

“That’s way out of my equation at the moment,” he added.

“This is the first win, hopefully the first of a few, and it’s really special.”