Fox hurt by horror run

A triple bogey has curtailed Ryan Fox’s chances of contending at the prestigious BMW International Open on the European Tour.

New Zealand’s sole representative on the European Tour, Fox was in the hunt after a first round 4-under 68 saw him settled inside the top 20.

Fox came out firing in the second round, at one stage moving into a share of second after three birdies in his first eight holes.

However, a horror triple bogey at the par-five ninth started Fox’s slide, with three consecutive bogies on the back nine resulting in a round of 75, and a drop back into a tie for 64th.

Fox is now eight shots off the lead shared by Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren and France’s Joel Salter, while recent major champions Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson sit one shot off the pace.

Despite the setback, Fox snuck inside the cut line to make his third consecutive cut, and the weekend holds significance for the 30-year-old.

Elsewhere, female world No 2 Lydia Ko has made a solid start at the Arkansas Championship on the LPGA Tour.

Ko, who returned to action last week after a three-week break, shot a 1-under par 70 to sit in a share of 53rd at the three-round event.

It was a mixed day for 20-year-old, who carded four birdies and three bogeys. She played well on the par threes, but struggled with her putter, requiring 30 putts.