Walking wounded at Winged Foot
Ryan Fox’s 11⁄ practice rounds at
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Winged Foot Golf Cub are more than enough for him to conclude this week’s US Open is set to be the toughest test of his career.
Tougher than two years ago at Shinnecock Hills, when he shot 14-over par at the 118th US Open and finished tied for 41st. Winner Brooks Koepka finished at oneover.
‘‘Prettymuch all the reports are bang on. This place is hard, the greens are the nastiest greens I’ve ever seen,’’ Fox told Stuff from New York yesterday ahead of the tournament in Mamaroneck.
The 33-year-old Aucklander, who is in the opening group with Aussie Curtis Luck and American BrandonWu, will tee off at 10.50pm tonight (NZ time). Fellow Kiwi Danny Lee tees off at 6am tomorrow.
Fox’s 27 practice holes convinced him this year’s tournament will likely be won by an over-par score.
‘‘I’mexpecting this week to be very brutal and over-par to win. If it’s like that, I think it will be the toughest golf course I’ve ever
played,’’ Fox said ahead of his 10th major and third US Open.
In addition to ‘‘absolutely brutal greens’’, Fox reported players losing balls barely off the fairway in recent days.
‘‘That explains how long the rough is, and how important it is to keep the ball on the fairway off the tee this week.’’
Fox isn’t alone in labelling the course difficult.
Fifteen-timesmajor winner Tiger Woods this week said it was one of the three most difficult courses in the world, alongside Oakmont and Carnoustie.
This year’s tournament will mark the sixth US Open atWinged Foot, and first since Aussie Geoff Ogilvy triumphed in 2006.
Since departing New Zealand in the middle of July, the US Open will be Fox’s eighth tournament in a year unlike any other in his career.
Life on the European Tour in a Covid world is different and difficult.
‘‘It’s pretty lonely, it can be pretty boring at times. I’ve spent more time in my own company in the last eight weeks than I have in
a very long time. I think I’mgoing to be sick of it by 12 weeks, that’s for sure.’’
No coaches, girlfriends or wives are allowed on tour. Just players and caddies, and they must room by themselves.
‘‘You go golf course to hotel room. That’s it. There’s no socialising, no nothing,’’ Fox, ranked 168th in the world, said.
They are tested for Covid-19 every week, and masks and temperature checks are the norm.
Including the test Fox had before he was allowed to leave New Zealand, he’s been tested nine times.
Fox has made the cut in all seven completed tournaments, recording one top-10 finish – at the British Masters.
That, and the fact he’s got nine majors behind him, gives him a touch of confidence this week.
‘‘The intimidation factor, the real nervousness, is gone compared to what it used to be for the first couple,’’ he said.
‘‘I have played enough now, and well enough inmajors, to know I can compete with the best guys in the world.’’