Chasing the Fox 2025: Ryan Fox and Daniel Hillier take out event

For the first time in the Mānuka Phuel Chasing the Fox event, Ryan Fox could not be chased down.

The two-time PGA Tour winner with teammate and fellow pro Daniel Hillier took out the event at Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club with a winning ambrose score of five-under.

After a career best year which included two PGA Tour victories, Fox closed out 2025 a winner at his own event.

In the fourth running of the annual event, a rule change to add a playing partner worked in the host’s favour with Hillier responsible for a few early birdies. Fox then drained a long birdie putt at the par four fourth to keep Team Fox in a share of the lead before Hillier also sunk a long birdie at the fifth - making it five birdies in a row.

A par at the final hole was enough to win by one shot.

“There was a fair bit of pressure on us today. Obviously played great early , a little bit scratchy on the last hole there but good to get it done,” Fox told TVNZ after the win.“

The pair won $15,000 for their chosen charity Big Buddy. While event sponsors Mānuka Phuel announced after the event a donation of $15,000 to the chosen charities all the other 11 teams along with $150,000 to Starship.

Hillier, who has been in strong form across the Tasman in recent weeks, said the nerves were high throughout the afternoon.

Ryan Fox tees off on the opening hole at Chasing the Fox 2005, Royal Auckland & Grange Golf Club. Photo / Photosport

“That was crazy. Probably some of the biggest nerves I’ve felt on a six-hole stretch there. It was awesome. These crowds are unreal. It’s great we get to play in front of all these people for great charities, it was nice to get the W at the end as well.”

Team She Loves Golf of Amelia Garvey, Vivian Lu and Tania Tare finished in second place at four-under with a decent birdie look on the last that could have forced a playoff. However all three players pushed the attempt just by the hole.

Team Manuka Doctor Legends, led by 2005 US Open winner Michael Campbell, along with Olympic rowing champion Eric Murray and UFC star Carlos Ulberg also shared second with a late birdie thanks to a superb drive at the par three sixth by Murray that almost saw a second hole-in-one at the event.

.