Fox may not play perfect golf but he is the perfect golfer

Otago Daily Times

2 days ago

Ryan Fox charged to a second PGA Tour title in the space of a month when he won the Canadian Open on the fourth playoff hole on Monday. Golf correspondent Neville Idour, who watched every shot, reflects on a great day for New Zealand golf.
There is no such thing as perfect, though I am sure there are some diamond jewellery makers who would disagree.
But I pen these words just a few hours after New Zealand golf star Ryan Fox clinched a mesmerising and memorable second PGA Tour title in just a month.
What really struck me watching his play in the final round of the Canadian Open was the man himself and his ability on the golf course — as if I did not already know.
This day simply put the exclamation mark on his example for all to see. A youngster taking up the game could not find a better role model than Fox, a man who fills all Kiwi golf fans with immense pride.
He is no charismatic Bryson DeChambeau — who, with millions of fans, is probably the No 1 golf "influencer" on the planet.
But, in a different way, Fox is garnering a following, and if he can continue to cement his position in the upper reaches of the game's rankings, he will be one of the most popular and supported players, not only on the PGA Tour but worldwide.
He certainly seemed to have more support during the playoff with Sam Burns. Canadians probably feel more kinship with New Zealand than the US these days.
Like DeChambeau, Fox is an excitement machine when he launches into a shot. To see him paired with DeChambeau in a major would be a mouth-watering prospect.
There were so many players with a chance of victory in the final round in Canada that Fox's emergence was remarkable.
His play on the last few holes then into the playoff produced theatre that was enthralling, exciting, excruciating, agonising and any other adjectives you can think of for four tries at the 18th, a great finishing hole. To think it could have been all over the first time when Fox's lengthy putt missed by a whisker.
What is there to like about Ryan Fox the person and golfer?
Everything, would be the simple answer.
He always portrays an image of a humble, likeable, no-nonsense nice guy.
The commentators on both the PGA and DP World tours love him. One said at the Canadian Open 'I love his pace of play' during the playoff. That was never more obvious during the playoff, not that Sam Burns was particularly slow to play. But compared to Fox he was.
No tedious habits with Fox. Do the calculations while the other player is playing his shot. Look at the shot required. Grab the club. Set up. Hit the ball.
None of the excruciating habits of a Padraig Harrington on the green or Patrick Cantlay everywhere, or Keegan Bradley's "will I, won't I" on the tee or various others who take far too long.
You do not talk about Fox playing perfect golf, but the way he plays the game is as close to perfect as you will get from any golfer.
I cannot remember ever seeing Fox have a temper moment or whack a club in frustration, or use foul language to vent his feelings. He shows remarkable control of his emotions at all times and has a temperament that is perfect for golf.
New Zealand fans can only wish Ryan Fox — the perfect golfer — all the success he deserves.