Ryan Fox has upped the ante and set a strong challenge to be beaten at this month’s Mānuka Chasing The Fox. And he’s not the only one being chased.
Fox has named fellow professional Daniel Hillier as his teammate when the event returns to Royal Aucklandand Grange Golf Club next Friday.
Between them they have 26 professional wins and are the highest-ranked male players in the country. It will take something to beat them but there’s a decent incentive if it can be done.
The World No 41 is putting up $15,000 for anyone who beats him and Hillier. If the duo take the title, the full amount will be donated to Big Buddy - Fox’s charity of choice.
“Dan’s a good mate of mine and I play plenty of golf with him on tour so it’s pretty cool to be able to team up with him on home soil,” Fox said.
“He’s a heck of a player, and had a great year on DP World Tour so hopefully we can make a few birdies together this year and really set the other teams something to beat.”
Hillier is coming off a strong performance in the 2025 season with four top 10 finishes on the DP World Tour. He continued that form at the Australian PGA over the weekend where he carded a final round 67 to finish in a share of fifth - a shot behind Nick Voke who has his own team at this year’s Chasing the Fox.
Ryan Fox during the Chasing the Fox in 2024. Photo / Photosport
Both Fox and Hillier will be battling against World No 2 Rory McIlroy in the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne this week in their last tournament before Chasing the Fox.
Hillier said the chance to join the Fox was too good to turn down. The duo competed together for New Zealand at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Playing alongside Foxy in a format like this is going to be unreal. It’s competitive but fun, and we get to do it in front of Kiwi fans.”
This year’s event will be broadcast live and free on TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+, with coverage of all the action from the final party hole. Australian fans will be able to watch the action on Fox Sports Australia while DANZ is the global streaming partner for audiences outside New Zealand and Australia.
Mānuka Phuel Chasing the Fox
The event takes place at the Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club on December 12 at 5pm. Tickets are on sale now.
Confirmed teams
Team Mānuka Doctor Legends: Michael Campbell, Carlos Ulberg, Eric Murray (chosen charity – Autism New Zealand)
Team She Loves Golf: Amelia Garvey, Tania Tare and Viv Lu (Halberg Foundation).
Team Campbell: Ben Campbell and Mac Boucher (Ronald McDonald House).
Team Media: Dai Henwood, Jeremy Wells and Bryce Casey (Bowel Cancer New Zealand).
Team NZ Warriors: Shaun Johnson, Wayde Egan and Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors Community Foundation).
