Fox gets big payday but misses Open spot

Ryan Fox is more than $300,000 richer, although still a touch disappointed, after a sixth place finish at the Open de France.

The tournament was part of the European Tour’s Rolex Series and carried a US$7 million prize purse, which meant Fox earned US$250,000 (NZ$335,000) for finishing at seven-under after shooting a four-under 67 in the final round yesterday.

Fox started the back nine with a bogey, but came back well to birdie the par-five 14th before finishing his round with pars.

The disappointment came because if he had finished one shot better he would have been in the top three and earned himself automatic qualification for the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, starting on July 20.

Meanwhile, Danielle Kang has broken her LPGA Tour duck in stunning fashion, while Lydia Ko struggled at the back of the field.

Kang, 24, had never won a tour event in 144 previous attempts, but took out the Women’s PGA Championship yesterday, one of five women’s major tournaments.

She looked to have blown her chance when bogeying the parfour 17th, but held her nerve to birdie the par-five 18th to win by one shot over Canada’s Brooke Henderson.

World No 3 Ko suffered through another poor round, following up Sunday’s 76 with a four-over 75 to end the tournament at five-over in a tie for 59th.

Meanwhile, fellow Kiwi Danny Lee continued his solid form on the PGA Tour.

He finished in a tie for 22nd at the Quicken Loans National after a one-under 69 had him one-under for the tournament. Tim Wilkinson was 72nd after a four-over 74 final round had him 12-over for the tournament.