21 Jul 2015

Fox feeling good after final-round recovery

4:31 pm on 21 July 2015

Auckland golfer Ryan Fox says he's learned a lot about his sport after finishing in a tie for 49th at the British Open in Scotland.

The 28-year-old shot an impressive final round five under par 67 at the major tournament at the home of golf, St Andrews, after a terrible third round which saw him fall 53 places to the bottom of the leaderboard, a stroke over par and 13 shots off the pace.

Ryan Fox lines up a putt in his final round at The Open at St Andrews

Ryan Fox lines up a putt in his final round at The Open at St Andrews Photo: Photosport

On the final day Fox recovered ably in the first group to reach four under par for the Championship, 11 strokes behind the winner, the American Zach Johnson.

Fox told Radio New Zealand his third round 76 is what he learnt the most from as he got back on track in the final round.

"Just kept missing stuff in the wrong spot and not even feeling like I hit really bad shots... That's what links golf does to you, if you hit good shots you do get rewarded, but if you hit bad shots the punishment's pretty severe.

"Y'know, I can take a lot out of that and I guess you know today, feel like I conquered it a little bit."

The son of All Blacks great Grant Fox said he felt like he played reasonably well in his final round, and he's pleased with the result in his first major.

"To shoot a round like I did today, albeit under completely different circumstances, being first group out and we had really good conditions all day with no wind, but I guess it gives me confidence for the future that I can compete with these guys."

Fox only earned his place in the Open field with a tie for second in the two-round qualifying tournament at the Gailes Links Course in Scotland.

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