The Auckland golfer Ryan Fox has had another successful result abroad, winning a second tier event on the European Tour in France, the Le Vaudreuil Challenge.
Fox has made an impressive start to his Challenge Tour career with two top ten finishes from three appearances before qualifying for The Open Championship and making the cut at St Andrews last week.
He is the first New Zealander to win on the Challenge Tour since Gareth Paddison back in 2007, a victory which also came on French soil.
"It was a tough day," said Fox.
"Conditions were pretty awful through the middle of the round with the rain and the wind. It was a great battle down the stretch with Thomas. We had four or five holes where we stood tied for the lead. He made some unbelievable shots and I guess it made it a little easier for myself to get forward to stay one in front," he said.
"There are some tough holes out there, and I missed a couple of greens, and then got up and down, but it doesn't matter now, I guess. I'm just happy," he said.
Ryan Fox holds the Le Vaudreuil Challenge trophy. Photo: Supplied/European PGA
"This trip is my first time to Europe, and I have played well," said the 28 year old. "France was my dad's favourite place to tour when he was playing with the All Blacks. I think it's the same for me. It's my favourite place in the world at the moment."
A closing round of 73 gave Fox a 14-under par total for a one shot victory, and a cheque for $53,000.
Fox was the overnight leader after firing a 3 under par 68 to move to 16 under, three shots clear of his nearest rival.
Meanwhile, compatriot Lydia Ko finished in a tie for 4th at the European Tour's Scottish Open.
On a high-scoring final day Ko was one of three players in the top five to post scores of 74, while the Australian winner Rebecca Artis was the only player in the field to break 70, a 66 giving her victory by two strokes.
