With many Ryder Cup big names locked into Bethpage this week, the DP World Tour spotlight shines on a different set of stars – and Ryan Fox is one of them. The Kiwi, who lifted the BMW PGA Championship trophy two years ago, is back in Europe chasing more success on familiar ground.
Fond Memories of France
“It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since my win on French soil,” Fox reflected. “I’ve always enjoyed coming here – the food, the wine, the people. The courses feel a little bit like home. I grew up playing tight, tree-lined layouts, so I’ve always enjoyed this style of golf.”
A Rare Finishing Par 3
This week’s host venue, Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche in Paris, offers a unique twist: a par-3 finishing hole. Fox only saw it for the first time during his practice round but was immediately impressed.
“It’s a cool finishing hole. You could chip a 4-iron down there and run it onto the green. But if they tuck the pin back right on Sunday, there could be fireworks. It’s tough to make a two but very easy to make a five. That’s going to make things exciting for everyone watching.”
Why He Loves Playing in Europe
Despite basing himself in the U.S. these days – where he’s already picked up two wins this year – Fox remains a firm believer in what makes the DP World Tour special.
“The camaraderie we’ve got out here is fantastic. We play some brilliant courses – Wentworth last week, Paris this week, then St Andrews and Madrid coming up. It’s such a great variety. I love the travel, and my family has loved their time in Europe too.”
Building Back Confidence
As for his form, Fox admits confidence has been a little up-and-down, but signs of life returned at Wentworth.
“I hadn’t played great in the Playoffs and wasn’t showing much in the first round last week. But I played really solid on the weekend with a couple of bogey-free rounds. I feel like my game is trending in the right direction again.”
A Golden Opportunity
With Ryder Cup fever gripping New York, Fox and the rest of the international contingent have a golden chance to grab headlines in Europe. And on a course that suits his eye, don’t be surprised if Fox is the one providing the fireworks come Sunday evening.
