Fox Flies Early in France But Can He Make Dubai Final

Ryan Fox
Ryan Fox tees off on the 13th hole during Day two of the Open de France at Le Golf National on October 18, 2019 in Paris, France. (Getty Images Europe)

It was shaping up as a special week for New Zealand golf. At the end of October at the French Open, Auckland professional Ryan Fox lit up round one when he carded a superb six-under-par 65.

It was the sort of the performance that Kiwi golf fans had been hoping for from the big hitter since he won his maiden European Tour title when he won the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth in February.

The 32-year-old made a magical start when he made five bogeys on the front nine and then added two further birdies and a bogey coming home to shoot the joint low round of the opening day with South African George Coetzee.

Fox could not back up his fast start. He signed for a three-over-par 74 in round two and then carded back to back rounds of even-par 71 on the weekend to finish on a three-under-par total, nine shots back from champion Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts.

Fox was circumspect at the end of the tournament. “Another T-18 finish this week at Open de France, a little disappointed not to kick on over the weekend but overall pretty happy with my game in the tough conditions at Le Golf National Course, it was a brilliant test as always,” he said afterwards on social media.

“Thanks to all the spectators that braved the conditions.”

Fox is in a battle to make the top 50 for the season-ending Race to Dubai.

At the time of writing, he was 54th on the standings with just this week’s Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City, South Africa to play.


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