Golf: Fox runs away with strokeplay win

Ryan Fox of New Zealand plays an approach shot. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland golfer Ryan Fox showed why he was favoured to win the New Zealand amateur men's strokeplay championship, surging to a dominant five-shot victory win in warm conditions at Russley Golf Club in Christchurch today.

Fox, who won his first national title at the North Island strokeplay by 11 shots earlier this year, added another coveted piece of silverware to his collection as he eyes the professional ranks at the end of this year.

The difference today was his big hitting and attacking iron-play, which helped him birdie three holes in succession midway through the back nine to put the title beyond reach.

Fox led by seven shots heading down the last but double bogeyed the final hole after losing his ball from the tee. It didn't matter, his one-over par 73 giving him a total of five-under par 283 for the week and a five-shot margin over Russley's Shaun Jones, who was second at even-par, and Australian Blake McGrory, who was third at one-over.

"I play aggressive - that is my game and I am really proud of getting it done today," Fox said.

"This course hasn't played easy all week so it's been good to finish under par and secure this win.

"I feel like I have figured out how to win and my game is better than it has been for a while, the results are coming which gives me confidence."

Fox is 66-under par for all the strokeplay events he has played in 2011 and he has won his last four tournaments in New Zealand, meaning he goes into the matchplay championship as No 1 seed and firm favourite.

"It was my goal at the start of the week to win the strokeplay-matchplay double and I have given myself a chance of doing that which I'm looking forward to."

Thomas Spearman-Burn, who shot the lights out in a superb six-under 66 in round three, faded with a 79 while world No 6 Ben Campbell hinted at some form ahead of the matchplay with a one-under 71 to finish in a tie for fourth.

- NZPA