So the Englishman had no option but to head back to his motel for the night to consider the incredible start he has made to his great American adventure.
After missing out by the narrowest of margins on automatic selection for Europe’s triumphant Ryder Cup team, Davis headed across the Atlantic at the end of the season and entered the stomach-churning nightmare that is the US Tour qualifying school. Not only did he get his card, but he actually won the event, giving him full playing privileges for 2005.
Davis would probably admit that his performance surprised even himself, especially when he then turned up at the Riviera Country Club at Pacific Pallisades in California last week and duly posted a brilliant opening round of 65 to lead the Nissan Open by a shot from, among others, Luke Donald and Darren Clarke.
The 30-year-old Londoner, the son-in-law of former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence, has made steady progress on the European Tour, but has clearly yet to make an impression in the United States. After his opening round The Los Angeles Times asked: “Who in the world is Brian Davis?” It will not be asking that question if he goes on to win.
With more rain forecast, the organisers face the prospect of being forced to shorten the event to 54 holes, even if they have to ask everybody to come back tomorrow. The Accenture world matchplay championship begins on Wednesday, giving those involved in both events little or no recovery time.
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Chad Campbell is sitting pretty, adding a 65 to his opening 68 to stand at nine under par, three ahead of the field. It meant that he could sit back and relax yesterday as the organisers attempted to get the event back on track, but there was no chance of getting the second and third rounds completed on schedule.
Among those who did manage to finish their rounds was Luke Donald. The young Englishman was not at his best and had to work hard for a level-par 71, but at five-under was sure to be in contention for yet another substantial payday.
Donald is one of a growing number of European golfers concentrating their efforts on the US Tour. He has already come close to winning this season. Only a wayward iron shot in the final round of the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines prevented him from going into a playoff with Tiger Woods.
Just 12 months ago he was 134th in the world, but then he won twice in Europe and starred for Bernhard Langer’s team in the Ryder Cup in September.
Asked here about his goals for 2005, Donald said: “I want to reach the top 10 in the world, win again on the US Tour and be in contention at two of the majors.” One American journalist said that seemed “pretty ambitious”, not realising Donald is already ranked 19th and is tipped by many as the European most likely to win a major.
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Like Donald, Woods is in contention again, and he picked up a birdie at the first of the four holes he was able to play. He has spent almost two years telling the world that he was nearly back to his best, although the evidence suggested otherwise. Now, though, he appears to have a pretty foolproof case.
Ominously for the opposition, he finally seems to have straightened out his driving and eliminated from his game the destructive push to the right that has plagued him for two years.
Woods, twice runner-up in the Nissan, had a first-round 67 and birdied the first hole of his second before being called off the course after completing just four holes.
Clarke was another to be frustrated by the weather, managing a birdie and a bogey in the six holes he completed.
Only 70 players in a field of 142 were able to finish 36 holes, with six unable to play a single shot. Former winner Robert Allenby, of Australia, is three behind Campbell following a 67, and he was joined at six under par by Californian Kevin Sutherland.
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Justin Rose, who has committed himself to a full season in America, gave himself a fighting chance of making the cut. Having toiled to a miserable opening 74, the young Englishman produced some of his best form and recorded a 68.
Nissan Open, today, Sky Sports 2, 8.30pm