Golf: Fox climbs in Australasian Q School

Ryan Fox. Photo / Brett Phibbs

New Zealand amateur Ryan Fox has climbed four places after the second round of the 2011 PGA Tour of Australasia Final Stage of Qualifying at the Peninsula Golf Course in Melbourne yesterday.

The Royal Auckland golfer, who shot a two-under 70 in round one, carded a one-under par 71 including a hole in one to be in a share of fourth place after two rounds of the three-round qualifying event.

The 24-year-old amateur is looking to join the pay-for-play ranks after a successful amateur career that included winning the North Island Stroke Play and the New Zealand Stroke Play Championship in 2011.

Western Australian Jason Scrivener remains the leader by one shot after a four under par 68.

Amateur Sven Puymbroeck and Taihape professional Hamish Robertson are the next best of the Kiwis in a share of 12th place on a one-under par total.

Wellington professional Nick Gillespie slipped back with a four over par 76 to be tied 18th on an even-par total and Pieter Zwart is one shot further back after rounds of 72 and 73 in a share of 27th place.

Tauranga professional Jared Pender and amateur Kevin Smith are two-over par for the two rounds in a share of 32nd place.

Peter Spearman-Burn, who opened with a four under 68, dropped back dramatically with a 10-over par 82 to sneak inside the cut line in a share of 57th place.

The goal for the players is to finish inside the top 10 golfers at the final stage.

Those players ranked in positions 1-10 from the 2011 PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School will be placed in Tournament Exemption Category 11 for next year.

Category 11 offers these players full tournament membership of the PGA of Australia and the opportunity to compete in all PGA Tour of Australasia events and it is anticipated that it will also provide a pathway to the OneAsia Tour.

Brenden Stuart (76, 75), Kieran Muir (72, 81) Mark Speedy (75, 80) and Leighton James (78, 78) all missed the cut.