Davis started with a two-under-par 68 at the Canadian Open to raise hopes of a decent finish that just might spark a desperately needed career revival.
The former Australian Open champion still sits four shots behind the six players sharing the first-round lead, including five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, but it's a start after missing eight cuts in 2026.
The stressed-out two-time PGA Tour winner took an extended break from the game last year, hoping a mental reset would lead to a turnaround.
"The pressure of trying to keep my card out there has held me back quite a lot. It's pretty hard to enjoy it sometimes when you feel like your job's on the line every week," Davis said.
But his woes have continued.
Davis' so-far wretched season has yielded a meagre $US46,856 in prize money and left the two-time PGA Tour winner languishing in 197th spot in the FedExCup standings and 295th in the world rankings from a career-high No.38.
A weekend Masters contender only two years ago, Davis has been a US tour mainstay since 2019 but is racing the clock to finish inside the top 100 in August to retain his card for next season.
After turning in four under, Davis's round could have been even better had he not dropped two shots on his back nine on Thursday (Friday AEST).
In a welcome showing ahead of next week's US Open, Koepka rolled in eight birdies, including at the first and last holes, at TPC Toronto to claim a six-way share of the lead.
The former world No.1's second US Open title in 2018 came at Shinnecock Hills, where the year's second major returns to in 2026.
Koepka has yet to seriously contend since returning to the PGA Tour following a three-year stint at LIV Golf.
"I've played great this year. It's just the putting that's held me back, trying to be mechanical," he said.
"But it was nice today to at least turn the brain off and go from there.
"I don't think the ball striking was as good as it's been as of late ... but it was nice to see the putter finally heat up."
Fellow Americans Sam Burns, Eric Cole and Sahith Theegala, Argentine Emiliano Grillo and Canadian Matthew Anderson also opened with 64s. Â
New Zealand's Ryan Fox is tied for 19th at four under, with Davis the leading Australian, one stroke ahead of Karl Vilips, who opened with a 69.
With The AP
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