DURING a time when honesty and integrity in the game of golf have been called into question following the recent revelations surrounding Tiger Woods, one local player has done his bit to restore people’s faith in the sport after an incredible act of sportsmanship that cost him his maiden PGA tour title and a $1million prize.

Brian Davis, who hails from Woodford Green, was contesting a final hole play-off against world number five Jim Furyk at the Verizon Heritage when he miscued his second shot, leaving him a tricky third amongst reeds and twigs against a shallow rock face.

After Furyk had made the green, Davis needed to get up-and-down for a chance to square the hole.

The 35-year-old managed to flip the ball on to the green, but immediately called over tournament director Slugger White after admitting to have tickled a reed on his back-swing.

The error, a violation of the rules against moving a loose impediment, could only have been seen by Davis, but he confessed to the incident and, as a result, incurred a two-shot penalty, thus conceding the title to Furyk.

Had he gone on to hole the resulting putt, Davis could have been celebrating his first win on the circuit since migrating to America five years ago.

Despite the disappointment, his honesty has won him plaudits across the world, with both Furyk and White hailing Davis’ remarkable act of sportsmanship.

“It’s obviously a tough loss for him and I respect and admire what he did,” said Furyk. His words were echoed by White. “He’s class, first class,” he said. “That will come back to him in spades, tenfold.”

Davis, though, insisted there was never any doubt that he would own up to the mistake. “Obviously I want to win a PGA Tour event more than just about anything but I play by the rules and no victory would be worthwhile if it had a cloud hanging over it,” he said afterwards.

“I saw the grass move, called Slugger over and that’s it, end of story. I am proud to uphold the values that my parents taught me and I teach my kids the same stuff. Be honest in your sport and in your life and simply do your best, that’s all you can do.”

Davis’ second place finish rocketed him up the PGA standings, to the point that he now stands in 62nd place, having previously occupied 136th.

The local golfer will now bid to go one better at this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he will be keen to avoid any reeds and rock faces. He will also be hoping White’s prophecy of better luck in coming events will hold true.