Ryan Fox and the All Whites - a collaboration made in Canada
Ryan Fox wins Canadian Open and the All Whites stop by to watch after Canadian Shield game
Photo:
Collage/Photosport
Golfer Ryan Fox was closing in on a second
PGA Tour win
and the All Whites had just claimed one of their
biggest victories
in more than a decade - both things happened in Toronto, Canada - so it makes sense that New Zealand sporting stars crossed paths far from home.
Eight All Whites, who are also handy with a golf club, were at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley to watch Fox win the Canadian Open in a play off with American Sam Burns.
All Whites captain Chris Wood said he "was a lot more nervous watching" Fox win the title than he is playing football.
"You can't control anything," Wood said of being a spectator to the big moment. "And seeing a fellow Kiwi doing so well it was exciting to see, he's done fantastically well and having that opportunity to be there and watch that bit of history for him and qualify for the US Open and things like that, it's fantastic.
"He was a gentleman and gave us time after after his round, to speak to us and let us in on a little bit of information and how he played and things like that."
The All Whites' trip to the golf was fully signed off by coach Darren Bazeley.
"I think it was a great opportunity. On a day after a game we go through pretty good process with recoveries, so they spent all morning going through recovery process with the guys and they had an opportunity to go and follow the final round and Ryan being there doing so well I think it was great.
"They were very well looked after, which was nice, and got themselves on the TV, which was cool.
"I think that's part of our culture, following wherever we are in the world, finding and following Kiwis and connecting. It's a big part of what we try and do is connecting, so it was a good day."
Would Fox be in the stands at the
All Whites' next Canadian Shield game
against Ukraine?
"Unfortunately, he had to fly straight out to the US Open," Wood said.
"He said he would have liked to but he has a bigger fish to fry this week and hopefully he can do some damage in the
US Open
this week."
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