Davies may stay in the States to forge his professional career

"I hope to get in the Walker Cup team in September and will probably turn pro after that," the 22-year-old Bridgend man told BBC Sport.

"I'll finalise the details shortly and will take positives from my US Open experience, I can play with the best."

After a fine opening 74 at Oakmont, Davies hit an 83 in the second round, finishing 17 over and missing the cut.

Interview: Rhys Davies

"It was one of those days, I got nothing going and I wasn't straight enough," said the former British Boys Champion, who topped a field of 65 in qualifying in Maryland to claim a shock Open place ahead of the likes of Joey Sindelar and Fred Funk.

"The course set-up was extremely difficult but not unfair, and a lot of good players struggled out there."

Former Brynteg Comprehensive School pupil Davies has just finished at East Tennessee University, where he combined his golf with a business degree.

Local media called him "the best player to ever play" at the college.

Davies hit an excellent 74 in the first round at Oakmont

He extended his own ETSU record for career individual titles to 10 and became the first UK player to reach number one in America since Graeme McDowell achieved the feat in 2002 while at Alabama State.

The Welshman says he might stay in the States to forge a professional career.

"Luke Donald was very successful here after finishing college and that could be a route I want to go down," said Davies.

"It's been quite flattering here at Oakmont because I signed a few autographs and the fans rooted for me during the practics rounds, I got the impression people were really on my side.