Rodger Davis was born in Sydney and turned professional in 1974. He spent his regular career playing mainly on the PGA Tour of Australasia and the European Tour.
He won the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit in 1990 and 1991. He made the top ten of the European Tour Order of Merit four times in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His seven European Tour wins included two of Europe’s most prestigious tournaments; the British PGA Championship, which he won in 1986 at Wentworth Club, and the season-ending Volvo Masters, which he claimed in 1991. His best finish on the PGA Tour was a tie for fifth at the 1986 NEC World Series of Golf.
Davis was ranked in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking for 29 weeks between 1987 and 1992. In the 1987 Open Championship, Davis shot a first round of 64 at Muirfield to lead the tournament by three strokes after the opening round. He finished the championship in a tie for 2nd place with American Paul Azinger, a stroke behind the champion Nick Faldo. The 1987 Open Championship is Davis’s best finish in a major championship.
1991 NEW ZEALAND OPEN: Played in March on the 6th to 9th this event was re-scheduled having previously been played towards the end of the year.
Once again hosted by Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, welcome rain prior to the tournament left the course in great order and the weather conditions were perfect.
Turner had recently competed very successfully in Australia and with Nobilo and Owen in good form, there were high hopes of a Kiwi success. Nobilo opened with 66 and some excellent scoring by all the leaders continued although the third day saw some relaxation.
On the final day Nobilo, with Evans and Power were six under and one stroke off the lead.
Playing sixteen he had reached eleven under par and held a two-stroke advantage, but the final three holes in bogey-bogey-par to Davis’ birdie-par-birdie gave the Australian the title.
1986 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: Played in Auckland at the Grange Golf Club on December 4 to 7, this event provided exceptional scoring from the first day when amateur Michael Barltrop led with 65.
Next day Roger Davis posted a course record of 52 and took the lead. Although the field included defending champion Corey Pavin and rising Spanish star Jose-Maria Olazabal, it was only Bob Shearer who seriously threatened and Davis took the title with a tournament-record 262.
Shearer and Baker-Finch in second and third place did not exceed par in any round and Davis’ worst score was a two under 68.
Davis represented Australia in team competitions several times and was a member of his country’s winning three-man team at the 1986 Alfred Dunhill Cup.
As a senior, he played mainly on the U.S.-based Champions Tour (2001–05), where he won once, the 2003 Toshiba Senior Classic. He played on the European Seniors Tour in 2011 and 2012.
