Golf: Karis Davidson among nine Aussies at Women's PGA Championship
An extended hiatus from golf last year has helped propel Australia's Karis Davidson into arguably career-best form heading into this week's KPMG Women's PGA Championship, her first major in 14 months.
The Gold Coast 26-year-old, one of nine Australians in the field, is high on confidence after finishing in a tie for seventh at last week's Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan.
'It was really nice feeling, you know, in the mix to win the event,' Davidson said.
'I'm enjoying (golf) a lot more now, and when you enjoy it, you try harder in more difficult situations on the course.'
However, that enjoyment was missing last year, which led to her taking a lengthy break from the game.
In that time, Davidson completed a six-month TAFE aged care and disability services course.
'I really wanted to do something productive and just completely different to golf,' she said.
'It was the best thing I've ever done. I learned a lot over the six months.
'After that, I knew that I wanted to play golf for myself because before I felt like I was just doing it for other people, and I think that was unhealthy.
'I was just so wrapped up in my own mind. I just had to take time away from it.
'I'm out here because I want to be, not because it feels like the only option.'
Davidson was yet to set her goals for the event starting in Texas on Thursday night (AEST) at the PGA Frisco Fields Ranch East layout but promised to 'commit to every shot'.
'That's such an important thing. You need to be 100 per cent invested in the club and the shot you've chosen,' she said.
'It's going to be a hot week, so I need to be really good with pre, post and during round hydration and what I'm eating.
'I'm trying not to make results-based goals. Obviously, everyone wants to win, if I do those little things well mentally, it'll give me the best chance for the best result I can get.'
The other Australians in the field this week are Minjee Lee, Hannah Green, Steph Kyriacou, Gabriela Ruffels, Grace Kim, Cassie Porter, Robyn Choi and Hira Naveed.
'All the (Australian) girls that are out on the tour are hard working, and they're all very resilient,' Davidson said.
'They're all quite laid-back and good with stress. That definitely helps with this type of career.
'The support that we get in Australia with coaches, trainers, psychologists and funding really puts us ahead of other countries in regards to support and encouraging us to do better.'
Originally published as Karis Davidson full on confidence ahead of her return to the majors at Women's PGA Championship
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The Advertiser
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- The Advertiser
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The excellent counter-attacking Pumas also crossed the whitewash three times through Ignacio Mendy, Tomas Albornoz and Santiago Cordero in a deflating evening for the Lions before they fly out to Perth for their first match against Western Force next Saturday. "It's disappointing. We've got to take the learnings from this," said Farrell, back at the Aviva Stadium where he's led Ireland to so much success. Not for the first time, the Pumas, who crushed the Wallabies by 40 points the last time the teams met in the Rugby Championship, delighted in spoiling the send-off, the world's No.5-ranked side now adding the Lions to their victims for the first time after beating all three Rugby Championship rivals last season. The Pumas took the upper hand early when, after Mendy's try had been answered by Aki's score, Albornoz struck from a Puma's counter from their own 22 on the stroke of halftime. 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The Pumas took the upper hand early when, after Mendy's try had been answered by Aki's score, Albornoz struck from a Puma's counter from their own 22 on the stroke of halftime. The Lions, deprived of almost half their squad because of recent club commitments and injuries, had a couple of scores ruled out in the first half - including one from Sione Tuipulotu - because of knock-ons. But Farrell was briefly enthused at the start of the second half when their robust response led to the penalty try and home favourite Beirne powering over. But Cordero then put the also under-strength Pumas back in front with a superb team score and they held on grimly under pressure near their own line only for the Lions to spurn their last chance when a penalty in front of the Argentina posts was reversed over a Beirne neck roll. "Argentina deserved the win and capitalised on all the errors we made," said Farrell. "There is a lot to do. You can't win a Test with that error rate. We lost enough balls in that game for a full tour, throwing balls that weren't on. "There was good and bad throughout. We were just a little bit off - and I take responsibility for that." There was at least some good news for the Lions in the performances of their three Australian-born players - Scotland's Tuipulotu plus the Irish pair of prop Finlay Bealham and replacement wing Mack Hansen, who all made excellent debuts in the scarlet. Melburnian Tuipulotu looked the Lions' most incisive attacker even if his handling may have been just a tiny bit off while Canberra's Bealham was instrumental in the Lions' scrum domination. The ebullient Hansen, another Canberra native much loved by the Dublin faithful, got one of the biggest cheers of the night when he came on for the last 20 minutes, and repaid the ovation with a couple of fine raids.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
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Who's the best expansion club? Giants, Suns test mettle
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Their top-eight spot could come into question if a defeat is coupled with wins by eighth-placed Fremantle (8-5) over Essendon and ninth-placed Western Bulldogs (7-6) over Richmond. Should the Giants fall short against the Suns, redemption would have to wait after their round-16 bye. Damien Hardwick's charges are boasting fresh legs after a timely bye. The Suns were left licking their wounds after back-to-back wins, losing to the Dockers by 11 points before a 24-point defeat to Geelong. But a weekend off doesn't necessarily pose as an advantage for the Suns, who have not won half of their post-bye matchs since their inaugural season in 2011. Still, Giants midfielder Xavier O'Halloran won't make the mistake of underestimating the Suns - given their record-breaking start to the season. "They're obviously going really well at the moment so they've got a great side," O'Halloran told AAP. "We will do our best during the week to prepare for it, and hopefully come out on Sunday and get the job done. "It would be nice to go into the bye with another win." A blockbuster engine room fight is set to take place at Engie Stadium. While the Giants hope the inclusion of star Toby Greene (glute) will perfectly complement midfielders Finn Callaghan and Tom Green, the Suns will boast quality in skipper Noah Anderson, midfield bull Matt Rowell and Touk Miller. Small forward Brent Daniels, who has often been deployed in the Giants midfield, has suffered an adductor issue and joins veterans Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward on the sidelines. All-Australian defender Sam Taylor is also out after fracturing his toe. The Suns have made three changes, with winger Lachie Weller returning from a hamstring injury to play his 150th game. Ethan Read and Connor Budarick return, while Sean Lemmens, David Swallow and Leo Lombard make way. Giants player O'Halloran is also pushing his case in the midfield after cementing himself in Kingsley's best 22. The 24-year-old has been called upon by Kingsley in 13 matches so far and is set to eclipse his career-best tally of 19 games played. "I've just tried to grab that with both hands and do as best I can," O'Halloran said. "The downside of it is seeing your mates go injured and have time away from footy. "But it opens up opportunities and I've been fortunate enough to have that through the midfield this year." Interstate bragging rights, a top-eight spot and a post-bye curse - there's plenty on the line in the so-called Expansion Cup. As GWS look to head into their mid-season bye with back-to-back wins, a refreshed Gold Coast outfit is out to reignite their season with a smash-and-grab mission at Engie Stadium on Sunday in the interstate clash between the AFL's two youngest sides. 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Still, Giants midfielder Xavier O'Halloran won't make the mistake of underestimating the Suns - given their record-breaking start to the season. "They're obviously going really well at the moment so they've got a great side," O'Halloran told AAP. "We will do our best during the week to prepare for it, and hopefully come out on Sunday and get the job done. "It would be nice to go into the bye with another win." A blockbuster engine room fight is set to take place at Engie Stadium. While the Giants hope the inclusion of star Toby Greene (glute) will perfectly complement midfielders Finn Callaghan and Tom Green, the Suns will boast quality in skipper Noah Anderson, midfield bull Matt Rowell and Touk Miller. Small forward Brent Daniels, who has often been deployed in the Giants midfield, has suffered an adductor issue and joins veterans Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward on the sidelines. All-Australian defender Sam Taylor is also out after fracturing his toe. The Suns have made three changes, with winger Lachie Weller returning from a hamstring injury to play his 150th game. Ethan Read and Connor Budarick return, while Sean Lemmens, David Swallow and Leo Lombard make way. Giants player O'Halloran is also pushing his case in the midfield after cementing himself in Kingsley's best 22. The 24-year-old has been called upon by Kingsley in 13 matches so far and is set to eclipse his career-best tally of 19 games played. "I've just tried to grab that with both hands and do as best I can," O'Halloran said. "The downside of it is seeing your mates go injured and have time away from footy. "But it opens up opportunities and I've been fortunate enough to have that through the midfield this year."
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Force need to set Lions tour tone by showing some mongrel
Now we have a Lions tour on our hands. That development has not come in the wake of the Wallabies' squad announcement on Thursday, nor the naming of the Lions' team to face Argentina this weekend, but the excellent niggle between Joe Schmidt and his friends in the north. Within hours of Schmidt making reference to the Lions' 'southern hemisphere' midfield partnership of Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu for the Argentina game in Dublin, Lions management were asked about the apparent dig, which followed the labelling of Finlay Bealham as 'another Aussie'. Umbrage was apparently taken, but the Lions cannot seriously expect their Seven-Nation Army, with eight Australians, Kiwis and South Africans joining a squad operating under British and Irish Lions branding, to pass without comment. It is not known if Schmidt's alleged dig was intentional, or even wise, but it has given the tour a focal point and some much-needed edge. The Lions will also have to work on their response, because simply pointing out that their imports have shown commitment to their adopted nations really says nothing at all - presumably players such as the Scot Darcy Graham, who was overlooked in favour of an Australian, New Zealander and South African, feels like he too is committed. The edge is needed because there is a great fear hanging over this tour that has not been broached because it would be so woeful for the hosts. With the NRL ascendant - journalists travelling from the north who last visited in 2013 will barely recognise the changed sporting landscape - Australian rugby really can't afford for the Lions to romp through the tour games registering big scores before beating the Wallabies 3-0.
