Ryan Fox has come home strong in his opening round at the final major of the year, the PGA Championship, to be two-under par and tied for 16th.
Fox went birdie-birdie in the final two holes to card a round of 68 that currently has him four strokes behind new leader Gary Woodland who is one clear of Rickie Fowler who aims for his maiden major.
Fox started the day in perfect fashion with a birdie on the opening hole and with an early tee time he found himself in the outright lead for a short time. Fox then moved to two-under at the turn with a second birdie at the par five eighth hole.
However, errors at the 11th and 15th holes saw the world number 82 slip back to even-par before closing his round in clinical fashion to show once again he is ready to compete at the top level.
Fox, who finished T54 in his first PGA Championship appearance last year is on track to beat that and more by being right in contention which was a goal of his leading into the championship.
On a soft Bellerive Country Club where the ball isnt running far, his long game is proving helpful as he drove the ball an average 315 yards to give him some great chances.
Tiger Woods (T47) had to work hard for his even par round of 70 after opening his account with a double-bogey.
Fox will tee off his second round, alongside Englishman Eddie Pepperell and American Michael Block, from the 10th tee at 12.15pm local time on Friday (5.15am Saturday NZT).
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- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Golf NZ
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