Australian Ryan Fox records a decisive victory at the New Zealand Amateur Stroke Play Tournament
Auckland’s Ryan Fox romped to a decisive victory in the Lion Foundation New Zealand Amateur Stroke Play Championship, beating the contenders with a wide margin of five shots over Shaun Jones at the Russley Golf Club in Christchurch on Saturday, April 23.
Fox, who won the North Island Stroke Play earlier this year, was the only player who played aggressively yet brilliantly on the final day. He also finished in top ten in his last four ventures of the Australian Amateur season including Australian Master
of the Amateurs, Lake Macquarie Amateur, Riversdale Cup and the Australian Stroke Play championships.
"I play aggressive - that is my game and I am really proud of getting it done today," Fox said. "This course hasn't played easy all week so it's been good to finish under par and secure this win.”
Ryan’s hard hitting with his irons was the major difference between him and the rest of the contenders. He was able to birdie three in the back nine and eventually made it almost impossible for Jones to recover from the deficit. Fox was running away with
the tournament but stumbled with double bogeys on the final hole and finished one-over, 73. He finished five-under for 283 on the aggregate to finally lift the title.
Jones, who pulled in an impressive performance in the opening two rounds of the tournament with 68 and 69, suffered consecutive set-backs in the last two rounds finishing 76 and 75. He finished even par at 288, five shots behind Fox. Aussie Blake McGrory
settled for the third place with his aggregate of one-over, 289.
World Number six Benjamin Campbell of Masterton, who was probably playing last of his Amateur tournaments, shared the fourth slot with his 73, 75, 71, and 71 along with Royal Wellington’s Thomas Brockelsby. Campbell will be turning professional by the end
of this year and is eager to win his last of amateur title. He will be moving into the Match Play format of the tournament.
The Top 32 from the Stroke Play will be participating in the next phase of the tournament set to start on Sunday, April 24.
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