RYAN FOX WITH THE ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY ON THE SWILCAN BRIDGE. PHOTO COPYRIGHT MATT HOOPER.
2 OCTOBER 2022 - SHANK MEDIA, BY MATT HOOPER: Ryan Fox secured his second DP World Tour title of the season as he carded a final round 68 on the Old Course at St Andrews to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The KIWI started the day four shots behind Englishman Richard Mansell, but made a charge on the front nine as he went out in 33, three under par. MANSELL MADE AN EARLY MISTAKE, MAKING A DOUBLE-BOGEY ON THE 2ND AND COULD NEVER REGAIN THE MOMENTUM WHICH HAD SEEN HIM ASCEND TO THE TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD OVER THE FIRST THREE DAYS.
The KIWI started the day four shots behind Englishman Richard Mansell, but made a charge on the front nine as he went out in 33, three under par. MANSELL MADE AN EARLY MISTAKE, MAKING A DOUBLE-BOGEY ON THE 2ND AND COULD NEVER REGAIN THE MOMENTUM WHICH HAD SEEN HIM ASCEND TO THE TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD OVER THE FIRST THREE DAYS.
RICHARD MANSELL PLAYS HIS SECOND SHOT TO THE FIRST HOLE DURING THE FINAL ROUND. PHOTO COPYRIGHT MATT HOOPER.
Birdies at 3, 5 and 7, allied to Mansell's double-bogey at the 2nd, put the Kiwi right in contention for the title.
On the back nine he took control of the championship with birdies at 10, 12 and 15, and even bogeys at 13 and 17 could not derail Fox from lifting the trophy, and winning at the home of golf.
Any hopes the rest had of a Ryan Fox collapse on the closing stretch was extinguished as he rolled in a putt from the back of the 15th green to extend his lead.
RYAN FOX CELEBRATES THE MOMENT HIS BALL DROPS INTO THE HOLE FOR BIRDIE AT THE 15TH. PHOTO COPYRIGHT MATT HOOPER.
The 35-year-old’s lead was cut to one after he bogeyed the 17th, but he left himself a tap-in for par on the 18th for a 15 under par total to win his third DP World Tour title.
This year’s tournament held extra significance for Fox as his past Team Championship partner, cricket legend Shane Warne - with whom he finished runner-up in 2021 - passed away earlier this year.
Callum Shinkwin finished in a share of second alongside 2018 Ryder Cup player Alex Noren on 14 under, with Shinkwin winning the Team Championship partnering Alex Acquavella with a final total of 37 under par.
Four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy shared fourth with Frenchman Antoine Rozner as the Northern Irishman firmed up his position at the top of the season-long standings. MCILROY MADE SOMEWHAT OF A CHARGE OVER THE FIRST 9 HOLES BUT ONCE AGAIN STRUGGLED TO SPARK ON THE BACK NINE, FAILING TO POST A TARGET WHICH FOX WOULD HAVE FOUND DIFFICULT TO OVERTAKE.
This year’s tournament held extra significance for Fox as his past Team Championship partner, cricket legend Shane Warne - with whom he finished runner-up in 2021 - passed away earlier this year.
Callum Shinkwin finished in a share of second alongside 2018 Ryder Cup player Alex Noren on 14 under, with Shinkwin winning the Team Championship partnering Alex Acquavella with a final total of 37 under par.
Four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy shared fourth with Frenchman Antoine Rozner as the Northern Irishman firmed up his position at the top of the season-long standings. MCILROY MADE SOMEWHAT OF A CHARGE OVER THE FIRST 9 HOLES BUT ONCE AGAIN STRUGGLED TO SPARK ON THE BACK NINE, FAILING TO POST A TARGET WHICH FOX WOULD HAVE FOUND DIFFICULT TO OVERTAKE.
Fox moves to Number 3 on the DP World Tour rankings, and will now have ambitions to overtake the Number 1, Rory McIlroy, with just 6 events left of the 2022 season.
THE FOX FAMILY POSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE SWILCAN BRIDGE. PHOTO COPYRIGHT MATT HOOPER.
