Ryan Fox Photo: Photosport
New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox has won for the first time on the PGA Tour, claiming the Myrtle Beach Classic title in a play-off.
Fox pocketed NZ$1.2 million for the win.
CHIP-IN FOR THE WIN!
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 11, 2025
@RyanFoxGolfer steals his first TOUR title in dramatic fashion @MyrtleBeachCl! pic.twitter.com/4ILEwU4W40
He started the final round in South Carolina three shots off the lead in a tie for fourth, and his bogey-free final round of 66 put him in contention for the title.
Fox, Canadian MacKenzie Hughes and American Harry Higgs finished regulation play tied at 15-under par.
The three went to a play-off hole, with Fox sinking a chip from just off the green to birdie. The other two missed their birdie chances to give Fox the victory.
"Honestly, I had a pretty similar line in regulation, I knew it didn't break much," Fox said afterwards.
"Both those guys had makeable chances so I knew I had to give it a go.
"When it landed, I go, 'This has got a chance,' and then about six to eight foot out, I thought 'this is in'."
Ryan Fox of New Zealand poses with the trophy after winning the final round of the Myrtle Beach Classic at Dunes Golf & Beach Club on May 11, 2025 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / Andy Lyons
Fox has had a mixed 2025 season so far, with his best result until now a tie for 15th. He had also missed four cuts.
"It's been a tough couple of seasons out here, just keeping my card last year and hadn't had a great start this year," he said.
"I also felt my game was good enough to compete with the best in the world, I got to show a little bit of it today and hopefully it kick starts things for me for the rest of the year."
The victory gives Fox a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and entry to this week's PGA Championship, the second major of the year.
"I've played all of them (majors) the last two years and was gutted to have missed the Masters this year, so I knew there was one spot going this week and the only way to get it was to win, so I'm chuffed with that," he said.
"I love Quail Hollow (venue for PGA Championship), I might have a bit of a hangover driving to Quail, but I can live with that."
'It just changes everything'
His father, former All Black Grant Fox, was watching the game in New Zealand and told Midday Report it was a life-changing moment for his son.
"We're very excited for him, he's been working really hard and we were up there in March watching him and he's sort of been a bit in and out this year, lots of good and a bit of bad mixed in.
"This week he put it all together, especially today and he got a result out of it, which is life-changing for him, you know? It just changes everything. He can now plan properly for the next two-and-a-half-years."
He said it was nice seeing his son win, knowing how hard he had worked.
"All you want for your kids is to be happy and healthy and chasing their dream, and if they are lucky enough to succeed in it, that's the icing on the cake and that's where he is at the moment.
Grant Fox with former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. Photo: Photosport
"He's in a privileged position but it's also pretty tough. We see the grind that goes on behind the scenes and how hard he works, and you are more out of form than in form in this game, and when you're in form you've got to take the opportunity - and that's what Ryan was able to do today."
Fox said surviving on the American tour had been challenging for Ryan.
"Last year was a real battle for him, completely different set up than Europe, he was sort of battling with how that whole thing goes. He's certainly much more comfortable this year, and this win will make him more comfortable again - he can now plan."
Fox senior was fielding lots of messages from well-wishers.
"I'm at work actually, I run a business, I'm not getting much done at the moment… but I think I'll be going home from work early and gathering a few mates where we live and I think we'll have a celebration or two, because I know Ryan will be because you've got to celebrate these things, because they don't come along very often.
"He doesn't drink much, Ryan, as a rule… but he prefers red wine, and I think somehow that there will be a little bit of that consumed today… .I don't mind a red myself, so we'll be doing that later on."
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