Aussie Cam Davis falls short of Rory McIlroy in $32m Pebble Beach pro-am, Adam Scott closes hard

Cam Davis made a spectacular finish at Pebble Beach but, after starting within touching distance of a payday close to $6m, came up short.

Cam Davis needed the final round fellow Aussie Adam Scott produced at Pebble Beach, falling four shots short of catching Rory McIlroy, who turned into a runaway winner of the PGA Tour’s first $32m signature event of 2025.

Scott, who was near last after the opening day, rattled home with an eight-under 64, but Davis, who started the final day a shot off the lead, and was within touching distance throughout his opening nine holes, could only muster three birdies as McIlroy gapped the chasers to win by two shots.

Davis did finish in spectacular style, chipping from between thick tree roots from right of the final green to a metre from the pin to tap in for his third birdie and closing round of 69 for a tie for fifth, four shots behind McIlroy, who collected the winner’s $5.8m.

Cam Davis couldn’t muster a final round challenge at Pebble Beach. Picture: Harry How / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP

The win was McIlroy’s 12th around the world since 2000, a number equal with Jon Rahm but still five behind world No.1 Scottie Scheffler in the same time frame, which has included his two Masters wins.

“There’s some venues in our game that just mean a little bit more than others and that’s probably to do with the history and the people that have -- that have won on those courses and what those people have meant to the game of golf,” McIlroy said.

“I’ve had a few close calls at St. Andrews, which is another one of those important venues in our game. Augusta National being another one, too. So to be able to get a win on one of those iconic venues is awesome.”

Davis, who will jump back inside the top 50 on the rankings courtesy of his strong finish, had earlier chipped in for birdie on the fourth hole after his approach hit a ball already on the putting surface and sent both flying to either side of the green.

The unluckiest of breaks turned into a birdie.

The golf gods are looking out for @CamDavis. pic.twitter.com/kkOLOGbybb

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 2, 2025

The four Australians at Pebble Beach all got in the good money, Jason Day finishing tied for 13th and Min Woo Lee equal 17th, while Scott came from nowhere with his a brilliant eight-under Sunday round of 64, which included eight birdies and no bogeys to reach a tie for 22nd in the elite, 80-player field.

Meanwhile in Florida, Australian two-time major winner Minjee Lee scorched around the Lake Nona Golf and Country Club with a sizzling final round 62 to jump to third at the LPGA’s season opening Tournament of Champions, justifying her “new adventure” with a broomstick putter, the same type used by Scott.

.@minjeegolf is on an absolute HEATER 🔥 This gets her to -10 just for the day, -14 overall so far.

Tune in now on @Peacock and @NBCSports! pic.twitter.com/mnRKpIdRh3

— LPGA (@LPGA) February 2, 2025

Lee, who started the event slowly, carded eight birdies and an eagle in a brilliant 10-under round, more than happy with how her new weapon was working, having made the switch to address some short putting woes.

“There are a lot of putters at the golf club, so I was just feeling around with a few. Not necessarily the long putter was my first choice,” she said after finishing six shots behind winner A Lim Kim.

“I think once I started practising with it was – it was not super unnatural or didn’t feel too weird.

“For me, I think it’s just a little new adventure and see where it takes me.”

Hannah Green, the only other Australian in the event, finished in a tie for 20th.

Originally published as Aussie Cam Davis falls short of Rory McIlroy in $32m Pebble Beach pro-am, Adam Scott closes hard