New Zealand’s Ryan Fox came out on top in a three-way play-off in spectacular fashion to clinch a first PGA TOUR victory at the Myrtle Beach Classic.
The 38-year-old, who went into the final round at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club three shots off the pace, managed to enter a play-off with Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes and America’s Harry Higgs after the trio were unable to be separated during regulation play. Hughes, who led the way throughout the final day, fluffed his chance of victory thanks to a bogey at the last and Higgs could only settle with a par.
The three players returned to the 18th which saw Fox sensationally chip in from 50 feet to seal a maiden victory on the PGA TOUR.
Victory means that he has secured himself a spot at the upcoming PGA Championship as he celebrated with his wife and children on what was Mother’s Day.
“So my wife sort of joked on Friday when I said, ‘What can I get you for Mother’s Day?’ And she goes, ‘Well, a trophy would be nice’. So I guess I lived up to my end of the bargain there,” said Fox, who also earns a two-year PGA Tour exemption.
“To have the wife and kids here is amazing.”
Fox had previously been taking part on the DP World Tour, a circuit in which he achieved three titles, the most recent being the 2023 BMW PGA Championship, before switching to the PGA TOUR.
“I haven’t transitioned probably as well as I would have liked over the PGA Tour. It was tough last year, I managed to just keep my card, and it’s been a scratchy start this year as well.
“In this game, you don’t get to win very often. You don’t get job security very often either.
“So it’s certainly nice to have that. And at the back of my mind, can feel like for the rest of the year, I can freewheel it a little bit. Hopefully that takes some pressure off.
“We’ll see how it goes in the next few weeks. But yeah, it feels like a monkey off my back, that’s for sure.”
Taiwan’s Kevin Yu finished the event in fourth a shot adrift on 14 under while there was a tie for fifth between America’s Alex Smalley and Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard a shot further back on 14 under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the PGA TOUR schedule is the PGA Championship taking place between 15-18 May at Quail Hollow Golf Club in North Carolina.