Golf: Fox finishes strong for Queensland win

Ryan Fox. Photo / NZME.

Auckland golfer Ryan Fox made two eagles in his final three holes as he claimed the Queensland PGA Championship title.

The world No 263 banked his second PGA Tour of Australasia crown in stunning fashion and he has found some encouraging form ahead of next month's New Zealand Open.

Fox began the final round in Toowoomba today in need of something special and his eight-under 62 was just the tonic as he finished at 17-under for the week, one stroke ahead of Australians Cameron Smith and Matthew Millar.

Brad Shilton was the next best Kiwi in the field in a share of seventh at 10-under, while Daniel Pearce claimed a tie for 16th at seven-under.

Eagles at the par-four 16th and the par-five 17th proved the difference for Fox.

"I'm pretty ecstatic now, to be honest," Fox said. "It was there or thereabouts today and to do what I did on 16 and 17, I can't really describe it."

Fox, known for his ability to hit the ball long from the tee, was able to drive the green at the 16th at the City Golf Club and his putt dropped. He continued the momentum swing at 17 and made par at the 18th to book the win.

"I love coming here," he said. "I've played here four times now and had some really good results."

Fox finished second in the same tournament last year and today's victory, where he earned $18,766, backed up his win at the WA Open Championship in Perth in October.

Fox will start as one of the leading Kiwi hopes at the New Zealand Open in Queenstown next month. A New Zealander hasn't won the event in more than a decade since Mahal Pearce triumphed at Middlemore in 2003.