Canadian Open: Ryan Fox impresses in first round in latest PGA Tour event

Ryan Fox has made a strong start to the Canadian Open on the PGA Tour. Photo / Getty Images

Ryan Fox has made a strong start at the Canadian Open with a first round four-under 66 to sit in sixth after the opening day at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Fox sits four shots back from round one leader David Skinns of England who sits one clear of American duo Sean O’Hair and Sam Burns.

The Kiwi had five birdies but finished with a bogey on his final hole which is unfortunately turning into a trend over recent weeks. Fox has bogeyed the last hole now seven times in his last 13 rounds despite some solid rounds.

Fox opened with a birdie before closing out the front nine with back-to-back birdies at the par three eighth and par four ninth. A brilliant approach on the par four 12th from 92 yards landed within three feet of the hole which led to a fourth birdie before Fox moved to five-under with another birdie at the par five 17th. A six footer for par at the last to card a bogey-free round just went by the hole.

Fox’s approach to the green play today was superb throughout the round, 2.559 strokes gained, with his putter letting him down on a few occasions as a few shorter birdie chances failed to drop. He shares sixth with Rory McIlroy who was the Canadian Open winner in 2019, the last time Hamilton hosted the event.

The world number 63 was particularly pleased with his putt to save par on the 13th hole.

“Probably the one that the most important one of the day I holed probably a 20-footer for par on 13 after hitting an average tee shot. Certainly not a spectacular shot by any stretch, but it kept the momentum going.

“A bogey there would have been a bit painful. Holing a 20-footer is, yeah, it’s always, for par, is always really nice,” Fox said.

A strong showing in Canada is much needed to boost Fox’s hopes of representing the International team at the Presidents Cup in September, which takes place in Montreal. Team captain and selector Mike Weir is playing in the Canadian Open this week and sits two shots back from Fox.

Skinns has never won on the PGA Tour and shared the first round lead earlier this season at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches before finishing fourth.

Early leader Burns recorded two eagles in his round while O’Hair entered the week as the sixth alternate and due to a cancelled flight didn’t see the course until his first round tee time.