Formidable Fox snatches Foshan lead
2016-10-21 23:52:52

Ryan Fox shot a stunning seven under par second round of 65 to claim the halfway lead at the Foshan Open on the European Challenge Tour.

The New Zealander started the day two behind at Foshan Golf Club, and carded three birdies and two bogeys during his first nine holes, the back nine, to rise up the leaderboard in southern China.

After making a birdie straight after the turn, the two-time Challenge Tour champion dropped a shot at the third but then went on a remarkable run with five consecutive birdies to take his tally to ten gains for the day.

Going into the weekend with a four-shot advantage over his opponents, the 29 year old is confident that he can lead from front for the remainder of the tournament.

“I think it was definitely more difficult today but I had one of those days when you have the ball on a string,” said Fox, who currently sits in fourth place in the Road to Oman Rankings.

“I have been driving it really well this week, and also last week at the Hainan Open, but I have only taken advantage of it this week. I have driven it really well over both days and saw some putts go in which is always a nice feeling.

“I hit a lot of good shots and it was really good fun out there. I have always enjoyed playing with Romain Langasque, and we were both surprised that we played at all today given the weather forecast. It looks like we will get 72 holes in this week which is nice, and I hope that I can continue this form over those holes.

“I hit two three-putt bogeys today which was disappointing – if you can be disappointed after shooting a 65. The course is definitely there to be had with it being soft, the greens are rolling really good.

“I have generally struggled on the greens when I have played in China before, so I am not sure what I have found this week, but I have managed to see some more putts drop.

“I am playing well and think another low score is possible over the weekend. I feel comfortable leading from the front but there are a few good players close behind in Jack Senior and Jens Dantorp, so hopefully it will be a good shootout over the weekend.”

Four adrift of Fox are Sweden’s Dantorp, England’s Senior and Germany’s Alexander Knappe who won his second Challenge Tour title of the season at the Hainan Open last week.

One further back is Chen Zi-hao, who finished the day as the highest-ranked Chinese player in the field after his bogey-free five under par round of 67 catapulted him up the leaderboard and into tied fifth place.