Ryan Fox – file photo USGA
Since his encouraging performance at Augusta National six weeks ago, Ryan Fox appears to be finding his feet on the PGA Tour.
While he finished only 38th at the Masters, there was a lot to like about how he played that week and it seems the confidence from his showing is carrying over to better performances since.
Two weeks after the Masters, Fox played well at the Zurich Classic when sharing 4th place in the team event, finished 4th at the Myrtle Beach Classic, made the cut at the PGA Championship and finished 32nd at last week’s Charles Schwab Challenge.
Fox began this week’s Canadian Open in 117th place on the FedEx Cup table but has made a fine start with an opening round of 4 under par 68 to be in a share of 6th place and four shots behind England’s David Skinns in the US$9.4 million event.
For Fox it appears to be a case of finding his feet not only in terms of his golf performances but in the logistics of playing the PGA Tour and feeling comfortable in what are rapidly changing conditions and environments.
“Obviously it’s a bit new for us, coming over here, and it can be a little bit hard to break into some social circles,” said Fox today.
“Yeah, getting to play with Bob (McIntyre) a few weeks ago we just basically said on the first tee, let’s just go have some fun, talk a bit of stuff basically. We both played really well that week.
“I enjoy myself out on the golf course. I like talking and playing with someone like that who I know really well is always nice. I think, going forward, the DP World Tour guys probably need to do that and spend a bit of time together. We know each other really well. I spent several years with most of the guys that have made it over.
“We probably need to socialize a little bit more and make it a bit more like it is in Europe. I think everyone tends to go their own way a little bit here, whereas in Europe I think everyone kind of stays in the same place, it’s a little more social. Yeah, if we can make it that way I think it will probably help all of us going forward.”
Fox bogeyed his final hole today but it was nevertheless an impressive start.
“To be honest everything was kind of working today. I drove it nicely. Which I think is important round here. If you hit it in the rough it’s hard to control your ball. Hit my irons great. Gave myself a lot of chances.
“While I missed a couple of short ones, especially one on the last, I actually did hole some nice putts as well today. A little bit of give and take in that regard. Felt like I hit a lot of good putts that kind of didn’t go in. I can take a lot of confidence from that and kind of try to do the same thing tomorrow.
“Really happy with where the game’s at. This is my sixth week in a row, so I’m running on fumes at the moment. So, go get some physio, have a bit of a rest. I feel like my game’s in pretty decent shape, just go out there tomorrow and get out of my own way, try to hit a few greens and give myself plenty of chances, and hope the putter works.”
Fox is exempt for the upcoming US Open where he gets another chance to display his capacity to play well in major championships but, before that, he has a chance to finish off the Canadian Open well and further boost his standings on the FedEx Cup table.
