Fox soars to career-best world ranking
Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox leapt to a careerbest world ranking and pocketed €630,600 (NZ$1.06 million) as his hot streak in Europe continued with a runner-up finish in the Irish Open yesterday.
Fox was pipped by Adrian Meronk, who became Poland’s first winner on the DP World Tour at Mount Juliet with a final round of six-under 66 to seal a threeshot victory.
The 35-year-old Aucklander climbed 10 spots on the rankings to No 46 after his seventh top-10 finish in his last 10 starts, stretching back to his victory in the Ras al Khaimah Classic in February.
Fox led after a sizzling first round of 64, and he matched that in the final round with seven birdies and an eagle three on the 17th, before a bogey on the last to finish 17-under-par.
Meronk was one shot behind Fox with four holes remaining when he went birdiebirdie-eagle to give himself room for error on the tough closing hole. He made par and walked off the 18th green soaked in a champagne celebration.
‘‘It’s such a relief,’’ Meronk said. ‘‘After coming quite close a couple of times, to finally open the door it’s just a dream come true.’’
Fox feared a bogey on the final hole might cost him in the end, as he appeared on the verge of his third DP World Tour title, but Meronk played so well over the closing stretch that Fox’s bogey was incidental.
Fox was one shot clear of South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence who finished third with a final round of 67 and a 16-under total.
The Kiwi’s second round of 73 was the costly one for his hopes of collecting the winner’s cheque of €975,000 (NZ$1.64m), as he recorded three birdies and four bogeys before getting back into contention with a third round of two-under 70.