New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox winner of the 2022 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the Old Course,St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Auckland golfer Ryan Fox returns to one of his favourite courses this week as the defending champion.
Fox will line-up for the $8.5 million Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews in Fife, Scotland.
"Anytime you've got a chance to win a tournament around the Old Course it's special.
"Obviously one of our iconic events on tour and amazing to be back as champion."
Fox secured a memorable victory in front of his family at St Andrews a year ago, coming from fours shots behind in the final round to win.
In the lead-up to the 2022 tournament Fox didn't have a lot of luck with injury and the loss of his clubs affecting his preparation.
However, he managed to clinch what was his third victory on the European-based World Tour.
The 36-year-old has had a good run after returning to Europe, by finishing third in Ireland last month then went recorded the biggest win of his career at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
The week after that he missed the cut at the French Open.
"The game is in pretty decent shape after the last couple of weeks, despite a little hiccup in France, but the previous two weeks weren't too bad and hopefully I can carry on that form this week."
It's been a good year for Fox, he earned limited playing rights on the US PGA Tour, while his solid form has him third on the World (European) Tour rankings.
New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox at the 2022 Open Championship at St Andrews. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
So does he feel like the same golfer he was 12 months ago?
"Yes I do, but I don't know what has changed in the last year or so."
He does admit he's playing better in the last round of tournaments.
"I've felt a lot more comfortable in that situation and put myself in that situation a lot and got the job done a couple of times.
"I had some great opportunities this year (in the USA), the Masters was a career highlight for me while also getting to play the Players', Bay Hill, Memorial, all those events I grew up dreaming of playing and actually feeling comfortable.
"It's been an amazing year ticking off a lot of career goals and how much that can change things in a career so this has easily been the best year I've had."
Fox is third in the World Tour rankings behind Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, while the higher he finishes in the world rankings will determine how much he gets to play in the US next year.
He's currently 32nd in the world rankings.
"There's lots to play for in terms in PGA card for next year and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season, especially this one (Alfred Dunhill Links Championship) which I love playing.
Fellow New Zealander Daniel Hillier is also in the field in Scotland this week.
- RNZ