Davies downbeat at Open showing

Rhys Davies failed to make the cut at the 2011 Open Championship Welsh golfer Rhys Davies admitted finding the Royal St George's course tough going after missing the cut at the Open Championship.

Fellow Welshmen Mark Laskey and Simon Edwards also failed to make the cut.

Davies carded a 78 in the second round, finishing 13-over-par, to complete a miserable few days on the Kent links.

"It was a real struggle out there," said the 26-year-old, who failed to make the halfway cut on his two previous Open appearances.

"I'm a little perplexed at the moment, it's not going my way."

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke fired a second round 68 to share the lead with Lucas Glover at the halfway stage of the 2011 Open Championship.

Davies, who honed his skills on a classic links course on the south Wales coast at Royal Porthcawl, failed to shine on his two previous Open appearances.

He was unable to break par in each of his four rounds, missing the halfway cut by two shots in 2010 at St Andrews and by three in shots at Turnberry in 2009.

But despite that, Davies felt confident going into the 2011 Open Championship and has now vowed to develop his game following another disappointing performance.

"I'm working hard at it," said the Bridgend-based player.

"I might be doing too much, I don't know.

"I've got to have a real think about it, I don't want to say anything right now that there's a definite reason because I can't put my finger on it.

Davies added: "I'd have loved to have played well this week. I felt I could do really well here if I'm honest but it hasn't come out that way.

"I haven't played well enough, there's no excuses."

Laskey, the Challenge Tour professional making his major debut, shot a three-over-par round of 73 on Thursday but carded a 76 on day two leaving him nine-over-par.

"I'm very disappointed to miss the cut but it's been a great week," said 26-year-old Laskey.

"I played solid for about 80 per cent of the time but just haven't holed the putts."

Edwards struggled to a nine-over-par round of 79, but was in philosophical mood despite finishing 21-over-par for the tournament.

"It was poor again but that's how it is," said the Wrexham-born player.

"It's a tough golf course, I'm not playing great and it's going to find you out.

"I love being here. How can you not enjoy this? "It's brilliant."

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Davies named Tory assembly leader

14 July 2011 Last updated at 15:12 GMT Andrew RT Davies beat rival Nick Ramsay with 53.1% of the votes cast by party members.

The Conservatives have chosen Andrew RT Davies as their leader in the Welsh assembly.

Mr Davies beat rival Nick Ramsay with 53.1% of the votes in a party election which had a 49% turnout.

The South Wales Central assembly member urged his party to offer a "real alternative to the failed Labour ideology in Wales".

Prime Minister David Cameron said the Tories' 14-strong group must offer a "strong Conservative voice for Wales."

The contest was called after former Tory group leader Nick Bourne lost his seat in May's assembly election.

The result was declared at 1445 BST, nearly two hours later than expected, and Mr Davies spoke to the Prime Minister shortly after.

Mr Cameron said: "I want to congratulate Andrew on his election as the leader of our party in the Welsh Assembly.

"Under Labour, Wales has become the poorest part of the UK, its education system is failing a generation and now Labour are making cuts of ?1billion to the NHS.

"We must now offer a strong Conservative voice for Wales and I look forward to working closely with Andrew to deliver this and realise our strong ambitions for Wales."

Mr Davies paid tribute to both Monmouth AM Mr Ramsay, who won 46.7% of the vote, and Mr Bourne in his acceptance speech at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff.

Mr Davies said he had been handed a "great responsibility".

"Wales runs through my DNA," he said.

"I'm a proud Welshman and a proud unionist and I feel bitterly disappointed when I look at the league tables on health, economic performance and education, and we see Wales propping those tables up, rather than leading from the top."

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We will be inspiring the people of Wales to reach for those heights that I know our communities can go for”

End Quote Andrew RT Davies AM Newly-elected Conseravtive leader in the assembly He added: "Above all, we will be inspiring the people of Wales to reach for those heights that I know our communities can go for."

Mr Davies praised the leadership of Mr Bourne, thanked his family for their support and paid tribute to Mr Ramsay.

"Ideologically there's not much difference between us and that stands us in good stead as a party," he said.

Offering his congratulations, Mr Ramsay said the new leader had his full support.

"This is now about taking the fight to Labour and taking the fight to Carwyn (Jones, First Minister).

"Let's fight for the next few years in advance of those assembly elections."

He added that the leadership election had gone "right down to the wire".

Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan congratulated both Andrew Davies and Nick Ramsay on how they conducted their campaigns.

'Weight of responsibility'

"This result marks the start of a new chapter for the Welsh Conservatives in the assembly and I look forward to working with Andrew in the years ahead," she said.

Continue reading the main story Born Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan 1968, aged 43Married with four childrenEducated at Llanfair Primary School and St John'sBecame a partner in the family farm and is former Welsh delegate on the NFU councilJoined the Welsh Conservative Party in 1997, stood general election candidate in 2001 and 2005First election to assembly in 2007Served as party spokesman on health, education and transportHobbies include swimming, farming and spending time with his family"I know he realises the weight of responsibility he carries in holding the Labour-led Welsh Government to account, and in ensuring it pursues the right course towards building a stronger economy, providing better services, and offering greater opportunities for everyone in Wales.

"There is much to be done. And by working with colleagues at Westminster, in Europe and in local government we can all ensure further success for our party in Wales."

Mr Davies has been an AM since 2007 and sparked speculation about his ambitions when he suddenly stood down as the party's shadow health minister in November 2010.

The assembly's Liberal Democrat leader, Kirsty Williams, said: "I'd like to congratulate Andrew on his success on being elected leader of the Conservative group in the National Assembly.

"I look forward to working with him and other party leaders on furthering devolution for the people of Wales."

Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones also congratulated Mr Davies, adding: "With many significant challenges ahead for Wales, particularly over ensuring fair funding and further constitutional advances for our nation, I sincerely hope that he will use his new role to try to influence the Conservative party leadership in Westminster to act in the best interests of Wales."

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Davies targets major breakthrough

Venue: Royal St George's, Sandwich, KentDates: 14-17 JulyCoverage: Live on BBC TV, HD, Red Button, online (UK only) and Radio 5 live; text commentary on BBC Sport website (#bbcgolf) and mobiles; watch again on iPlayer Davies feel she has the patience and skills to deal with Royal St George's Rhys Davies feels a big win is just around the corner and believes the unique challenge of Royal St George's could be the scene of such a success.

"I've been playing steadily without fantastic results," said the Welshman, who will play his third Open this week.

"I've had a lot of good consistent ones so I'm waiting for a big break or a big week.

"I feel it's in me, I feel it could come at any moment. It'll be nice to see it this week."

Despite honing his skills on a classic links course on the south Wales cost at Royal Porthcawl, Davies has failed to shine on his two previous Open appearances.

He has failed to break par in each of his four rounds, missing the halfway cut by two shots in 2010 at St Andrews and by three in shots at Turnberry in 2009.

But the 26-year-old, considered as one of the best putters on the European tour, believes his short game will come to the fore this week when a player's ability to scramble and improvise will be tested in full.

Royal St George's from the air

"I grew up playing links golf and we've got a great challenge ahead of us this week," said Davies, who qualified for the event by finishing inside the top 30 on the European Tour money list in 2010.

"It plays difficult even when there's no wind, so with the breeze this week it's going to be extra tricky.

"You've got to be very patient. There are a lot of humps and hollows out there - you'll get some good bounces and you'll get some bad ones.

"I think you've just got to try to treat those equally and rely on your short game.

"You're going to miss a lot of greens out there without hitting too many bad shots."

Davies will have some esteemed company when he tees off at 0714 BST on Thursday morning.

Playing companion Mark O'Meara won the coveted Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale in 1998, a victory that came three months after winning the Masters.

"I'm very pleased with that draw," added Davies, the 2003 British Boys Championship winner.

In-depth interview: Rory McIlroy

"Playing with a past champion, a multiple major winner is fantastic.

"He's somebody I'm sure will know how to play on a golf course like this."

Newly crowned US Open champion Rory McIlroy has grabbed most of the headlines in the lead up to the Open, and the 22-year-old Northern Irishman will start as favourite.

Davies played alongside McIlroy in the defeated Great Britain and Ireland team in the 2007 Walker Cup, and claimed impressive singles victories against rising American stars Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler, both of whom will also be at Royal St George's this week.

Of those four, Davies has certainly been left behind on the world professional stage, but the Bridgend-based player feels it is only a mater of time before he joins golf's top table.

"The aim this week is like any other tournament which is get into contention with nine holes to go - merely making the cut doesn't interest me," he said.

"I don't approach any tournament differently. If you're standing on the 10th tee on Sunday afternoon within a handful of shots to the lead then you're in good shape.

"You can definitely contend and try to win. And I'll approach things no different this week.

"There are four long days ahead but I'm looking forward to them all."

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