SerpApi.Org
Ryan Fox delivered an exceptional performance to capture The Open Championship on Sunday night - and he accomplished it in his characteristically swift manner.
The New Zealander posted an impressive two-under on Sunday to maintain his composure and fend off challenges from Cameron Young and Sam Burns to secure his first major championship in the final one of the year. Fox matched the record for lowest round at a major championship by shooting eight-under 62 on Saturday to position himself as a strong contender for the Claret Jug.
Having only secured his PGA Tour card at the age of 37, Fox is compensating for lost time by capturing his first major just two years later, and that rapidity is reflected in his playing approach as well. Fox is recognized for his brisk pace of play on the course, and he disclosed in his post-round press conference that he'd even attracted the notice of Scottie Scheffler when they competed together earlier in the year. Meanwhile, Scheffler recently said he has a "ton to say" regarding the Bryson DeChambeau penalty dispute.
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"I played with Scottie Scheffler earlier in the year, and I can't work out if this was a burn or a compliment. We played at Phoenix, and we're in a three-ball on Saturday," Fox said.
He added: "We walk off the 9th tee, and he goes, 'Foxy, it doesn't even feel like you're in the group'. It just feels like we're playing in a two-ball, you hit it so fast. It's just in the air."
"You guys can tell me if it's a burn or a compliment. It is just always how I've played. I'm kinda glad I kept that routine down the stretch," he said.
Fox elaborated that this has always been his approach to golf, tracing it back to his childhood experiences with various sports in New Zealand.
"I was always that way as a kid. I see things fast," he said. "I was the same when I was playing cricket growing up. I played almost every sport growing up, and tennis I wanted to hit the ball hard, and cricket I wanted to hit the ball hard. Everything just happened fast. I was never methodical at anything, to be honest, and it just carried over into golf."
"For me it's... I need to make sure this comes across right... It's not that difficult to pick a shot and pick a club. I get in there, and it all happens quick. You hit -- it's always going to be between one or two clubs into a green, and I just see the shot quickly, pick a shot quickly, and the less time I have to think about it, the less bad stuff can creep in there."
Slow play proved a significant challenge this week given the demanding nature of the Birkdale links, though Fox revealed his strategy for managing it.
"I think just playing professional golf in general, it used to frustrate me a lot early on, and I've just got better at switching off and talking to Dean, my caddie, or talking to my playing partners," he continued.
"Xander and I did a great job of that yesterday. I get along with Sam really well. There was a few chats going on down there, but we were probably a bit more focused today than we were yesterday," he said.
He continued: "Yeah, like I just -- you only really need to concentrate properly 30 seconds, a minute before hitting a shot, and then you can switch off again. That's just the strategy I've had going pretty much my whole golf career."
