Golf: Team Fox expects bigger, better results lie ahead

New Zealand's Ryan Fox finished in a nine-way tie for 49th. Photo / AP

Onwards and definitely upwards. That's the message out of Team Fox, after the sterling debut by Ryan Fox in the British Open golf championship.

The Auckland golfer's father, former All Black Grant Fox, was renowned as one of the most driven, competitive and detail-oriented footballers of his age, as rugby prepared for full professionalism.

Ryan Fox, 28, may appear a little more laid back, but he certainly isn't resting on his laurels after finishing in a nine-way tie for 49th at St Andrews.

His final round 67 tied him with the notable names of David Duval, Dustin Johnson, Hunter Mahan, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood, and snared $44,500 in prizemoney.

"I'm ecstatic - it was a great last day," said Fox, who made the field via the qualifying tournament.

"But it was great to shoot a score like that in a major. I had a bit of luck with a bunker shot and played in the easiest conditions of the day.

"It's an awesome experience in front of a massive crowd, to see all the guys I've grown up idolising. I'm hungry to get a lot more.

"After playing one I'd like to play a few more. I feel I can compete with these guys. It was an awesome experience."

Grant Fox said following his son in the legendary tournament at one of the game's most famous courses had been "strangely" easier than in Ryan's amateur days.

"I was a lot less nervous ... [because] he hits the ball good and holes the putts now," he said.

Fox snr believed the performance would lay an important platform for the next stage of his son's career.

"It's not only the tips about golf. A couple of players have said 'you can play on this stage' and that's gold as well," he said. "Just to have those sorts of experience, even the practice rounds. Hopefully there will be another time [when] just making the cut is not going to be enough.

"He was a bit flat on day three. Next time he'll have the mental strength to go again and that's what the top players do. They think about winning the damn thing."

Ryan Fox returns to St Andrews for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championships in early October. It coincides with the All Blacks' World Cup pool game against Georgia in Cardiff. His father - a selector - has been given the week off so he can follow his son again.