In-form Fox called into lucrative WGC event
Ryan Fox is back at work this week after all.
New Zealand’s top male golfer, fresh from his breakthrough European Tour win in the World Super 6 Match Play in Perth, has flown to Mexico City at short notice for the World Golf Championships-mexico Championship event starting tomorrow.
Fox, who rose to 66th in the world with his Perth victory, made the 72-strong field as an alternate after a withdrawal and will join a stellar lineup of the world’s top players chasing a $14.5 million prize pool. He’ll tee off at 6.15am (NZT) alongside England’s Aaron Rai and South Korea’s Byeong Hun An.
Originally Fox planned to have this week off as he builds towards next week’s New Zealand Open in Queenstown, then his wedding to partner Anneke Ryff.
But his victory which earned him $268,000 saw him rise 19 spots to a career-high ranking and move him closer to his goal of the world’s top-50 which will open more doors to big tournaments.
‘‘It felt like it’s been really close. It’s almost a relief now that it’s happened,’’ Fox said of his breakthrough victory.
‘‘It certainly will free things up. I can go on feeling confident that if I play well, I can compete with anyone in the world and that’s a pretty dangerous place to be.
‘‘I’m probably going to get closer to top 50 and that’s where we all strive to be. You get in the majors, the WGC.
‘‘I’ve got the New Zealand Open and then a few weeks off . . . I’m sure in the next few weeks I’ll sit down and sort of rethink everything and set goals for the rest of the year.’’
Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson and Rory Mcilroy are the three favourites for the WGC Mexico event at Club de Golf Chapultepec.