Ryan Fox has fallen agonisingly short of winning the Dutch Open, his third DP World Tour title, but has qualified for The Open and the US Open.
Fox admitted Sunday was a rollercoaster of emotions as he finished second, losing in a four-hole playoff after making a double on the last hole of regulation play. However, his performance meant he’s qualified for The 150th Open at St Andrews and the 122nd US Open in Brookline.
While he’s gutted to have missed out on his third DP World Tour victory, Fox is happy he has another two Majors on his schedule this year.
“It was one of my big goals to tick off this year,” he said. “I qualified there in 2015 and absolutely loved it, and to get back for The 150th this year is a dream come true and I’m looking forward to it.
“I’ve played St Andrews a lot since that first year and it’s one of my favourite places in the world. I think the atmosphere this year for it being The 150th is just going to be immense.
“Ben Campbell is in, another Kiwi, so I’m looking forward to joining him in the field and hopefully I can keep enjoying playing links golf.”
The big-hitting Kiwi began the final round a shot behind leaders Victor Perez and Matt Wallace on nine-under after rounds of 70, 67, and 70. He immediately hit his stride making birdies at the first and fourth to get to a couple under early. Fox parred his remaining holes on the front nine to trail by two.
The 35-year-old took control of the tournament early on the back, chipping in for birdie at 11, holing an 80-foot putt for eagle on 12, and holing a 40-foot putt on 14 for birdie to get to 15-under and sit three shots clear.
Unfortunately, he hit his tee shot into the penalty area on the par 5 18th and made a double-bogey to finish and post 13-under.
Perez managed to finish at 13-under himself, meaning a playoff was needed to decide the tournament.
The pair went back up the 18th three times after they both made a couple of birdies on top of each other before Perez won on the fourth playoff hole with a birdie on the 17th.
The result still continues an amazing run of form for the Kiwi No.1 as he’s had four top-10s in his past five events.
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