17-year-old Billy Davis Jr. to make his PGA Tour debut

November 1, 2023 | by Justin Golba of AmateurGolf.com

Billy Davis (USGA Photo)

It has been a great summer for Davis and now, he will tee it up at the highest level to test his game.

It is every golfer's dream to make their PGA Tour debut.

For 17-year-old Billy Davis Jr., of Spring Valley, Calif., that dream will come true this week.

The 2023 U.S. Junior semifinalist will tee it up in Los Cabos, Mex. for the World Wide Technology Championship at El Cardonal at Diamante with a full field of PGA Tour professionals.

Davis played in a Monday qualifier on Oct. 16 at Enagic Golf Club at Eastlake in Chula Vista, Calif., and finished as the fourth qualifier for the tournament.

Davis started 4-under through 10 holes and finished with six birdies and one bogey to shoot a 5-under 66.

Hunter Epson, Peter Kuest, and Jeffrey Kang all finished tied for first place at 6-under, securing three of the four qualifying spots. Davis and RJ Manke finished at 5-under 66, so they went to a playoff to figure out the final player heading to Mexico.

Both players hit their approach shots long on the first playoff hole, and Davis chipped in for a birdie, securing his spot in the field.

Davis, an Auburn commit, played the qualifier with Jacob Solomon, who graduated from Auburn in 2019.

"I learned that I am not far off from where a lot of the guys I have played with," Davis said about the qualifier. "Distance-wise, I hit it far enough, and just all around, I feel like I am where I need to be."

Davis has put together a strong summer, making it all the way to the semifinals of the U.S. Junior Amateur.

"I feel like even from that week at the U.S. Junior, I have gotten better since then," Davis said. "Just all of the tournaments I have played in and all of the courses over time, I have gotten better at it. I know what to expect more and the little things like my attitude, the mental side of the game, and managing of golf courses. I just get better with that every tournament I play in."

Davis added, "Through the experiences, you learn a lot. For me, my confidence grew over the summer. I played some really good golf and have just kept that confidence."

Another help was his sister, Anna Davis, one of the top junior players in the world as well, caddied for him at the qualifier.

"I have caddied for her a bunch, so it is pretty normal for us," Davis said.

Davis will now get a chance to test his game against some of the best in the world, including Cameron Young, Sahith Theegala and Mackenzie Hughes.

"Honestly, I am just going to treat it like it's another junior tournament," Davis said. "Everyone is really good, so I am just going to try to be a sponge and enjoy myself and soak it all in. My expectations won't be that high, but I am going to try and compete and make the cut."

Dan Sivadge will caddie for Davis this upcoming week.

"I have known him since I was 10 or 11 years old and have played a lot of golf together," Davis said. "I feel like he knows my game pretty well since we have played so much golf together, and he is a good person to help me calm down and someone to talk to."

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