Photo: Getty Images.
Ryan Fox secured his second DP World Tour title of the season as he carded a final round 68 on the Old Course at St Andrews to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The New Zealander started the day four shots behind Englishman Richard Mansell, but made a charge on the front nine as he went out in 33, three under par. Three further birdies followed on the back nine and he held a two-stroke lead as he stood on the tee of the famously tricky Road Hole.
The 35-year-old’s lead was cut to one after he bogeyed the 17th, but he left himself a tap-in for par on the 18th for a 15-under par total to win his third DP World Tour title, moving up to third on the DP World Tour Rankings in partnership with Rolex.
This year’s tournament held extra significance for Fox as his past Team Championship partner, cricket legend Shane Warne – with whom he finished runner-up in 2021 – passed away earlier this year.
“It means a lot. To be honest the only person I can really think of at the moment is (Shane) Warne. Means a lot to this event and great mates, and just a shame he’s not here. I’m going to enjoy feeling this one with the family.
“I knew where I was (on the back nine) and it’s a hard golf course to do that. It’s almost an easy golf course when you’re chasing and unfortunately like you have some chances. Bad shots are really penal those last five holes.”
“As bad as it sounds, I was just trying not to hit really bad shots and I think I got away with it for the most part.”
Callum Shinkwin finished in a share of second alongside 2018 Ryder Cup player Alex Noren on 14 under, with Shinkwin winning the Team Championship partnering Alex Acquavella with a final total of 37 under par.
Four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy shared fourth with Frenchman Antoine Rozner as the Northern Irishman firmed up his position at the top of the season-long standings.
The win comes just a week after an Internationals team that he was overlooked for put up a bold showing at Quail Hollow, only to ultimately succumb to another Presidents Cup defeat at the hands of the Americans.
Any disappointment Fox may have been feeling, and concerns about a lingering knee issue that had seen him sit out a few weeks on the DP World Tour of late, are now background noise as he contemplates his achievement of having now won a significant event at the Home of Golf.
“I don’t think it gets any better as a golfer to be honest. Obviously winning The Open would be the next level up but to say I’ve won a tournament on the Old Course coming down the last few holes on Sunday, which so many great champions have done, not only in this event but in Opens gone past, to add my name on that list is very, very cool.”
Fox started the week ranked at No. 47 in the Official World Golf Rankings but will advance to his highest ever ranking when the list is updated in coming days.
