Fox and Williams face unlikely difference
Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox and temporary caddie Steve Williams will have to overcome an unlikely difference when the $1 million New Zealand Open tees off in Arrowtown today.
Williams, who caddied for Tiger Woods between 1999-2011, works in yards while Fox prefers to go about his work in metres.
With Fox’s regular caddie not in New Zealand for the 93rd instalment of the tournament, the New Zealanders will work together at The Hills and Millbrook courses.
‘‘I’ve caddied for 40 years and never caddied for a player that plays in metres,’’ Williams said. ‘‘I’ve got to get my head around that very quickly.
’’I’m giving him the yardage in metres and Ryan is pretty quick to play, but I’ve got to convert that to yards in my head and go from there. That’s a challenge in itself.’’
In addition to carrying the bags for Woods, Williams has also caddied for other high profile overseas players such as Australians Adam Scott and Greg Norman.
His gig with Fox, the top-ranked Kiwi player in the tournament, will mark the first time Williams has carried the bags for a Kiwi since 1979, when he combined with Sir Bob Charles.
‘‘I’m ticking off one on my bucket list this year, to caddie for a New Zealander in the New Zealand Open,’’ Williams said.
With so little time to work with the 145th ranked golfer in the world, Williams’ primary goal will be to make sure Fox is mentally up to it.
‘‘I can’t in one week help him with his game too much because you’ve got to focus on other things,’’ Williams said.
‘‘You’ve got to get him to believe in himself and fill himself with confidence for the week and get him to believe he can do it. That’s exactly what Ryan and I are working on this week.’’
Fox will tee off at 8.03am at The Hills today, before playing Millbrook the following day.
In a first, Millbrook is the primary venue this year, meaning the top 60 (plus ties), will contest the final two rounds there, rather than at The Hills, at the weekend.
In a storyline which comes up every year, Fox is attempting to become the first New Zealander to win the tournament since Dunedin’s Mahal Pearce did in 2003.
He finished 11th last year and, despite missing the cut at the Tshwane Open in South Africa last week, believes his game isn’t far from where it needs to be.
‘‘It’s been very, very close of late,’’ Fox said.
‘‘I’ve been playing pretty nicely without necessarily putting the scores on the board.
‘‘It was probably a blessing in disguise - missing the cut - because I felt pretty terrible Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. If I got in yesterday morning, like I was supposed to, that would have carried into the tournament.’’
Renowned for his meaty drive, Fox noted the longer rough than usual, particularly at The Hills, would require more caution than usual.
However, he was relishing the opportunity to potentially play three rounds at Millbrook, where he can get the ‘‘driver out a little bit more’’.
‘‘I think the golf courses, for me, are playing a little bit tougher than in previous years.
‘‘I think the greens are pretty firm and definitely around The Hills there’s a fair bit of the long stuff if you miss the fairways.
‘‘They might be a little bit more penalising this year, but there’s still some good scores to be had.’’
Fox said if he doesn’t end the Kiwi drought there are others in the field capable of doing it.
That includes Michael Hendry, who finished third last year, and Ben Campbell, who finished tied for second at last week’s NZPGA Championship, and Josh Geary.
Defending champion Matthew Griffin, the fifth consecutive Australian to win the tournament, is attempting to become the first player since American Corey Pavin (1984-85) to go back-to-back.
The Victorian is coming off a forgettable 19 over-par outing at the WGC Mexico Championship last week, but is banking on a return to Arrowtown to help him get back some form.
Griffin went into the final round two shots off the pace a year ago, but nailed a clutch 1.2m birdie putt on the final hole at The Hills to pip Japan’s Hideto Tanihara in thrilling fashion.
‘‘Whenever you come back to a course where you’ve won it gives you a boost of confidence,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s a little bit different being here at Millbrook, but starting [on Thursday] at The Hills will bring back some good memories. Hopefully I can channel some of that and get off to a good start.’’