Picture Credit: Ryan Fox's Facebook Page
In a career-defining moment, New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox captured his first PGA Tour title at the Myrtle Beach Classic, prevailing in a dramatic playoff finish. The victory earned Fox a substantial NZ$1.2 million prize purse, marking a significant milestone for the Kiwi on golf’s premier circuit.
Starting the final round in South Carolina three shots behind the leaders in a tie for fourth position, Fox delivered a flawless performance with a bogey-free final round of 66 to thrust himself into title contention.
The New Zealander finished regulation play deadlocked at 15-under par with Canadian MacKenzie Hughes and American Harry Higgs, setting the stage for a thrilling playoff showdown.
In the decisive extra hole, Fox produced a moment of brilliance, chipping in from just off the green for birdie. When both Hughes and Higgs failed to convert their birdie opportunities, Fox secured his breakthrough PGA Tour triumph.
“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’.”
Fox’s 2025 campaign had been inconsistent prior to this victory, with his previous best result being a tie for 15th, alongside four missed 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 delivers Fox significant rewards: a two-year PGA Tour exemption and qualification for this week’s PGA Championship, the year’s second major tournament.
“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.
