Ryan Fox contends again – this time at Wentworth
Ryan Fox – file photo courtesy of Australian Golf Media
New Zealand’s Ryan Fox again finds himself in the firing line of contention as the BMW PGA Championship enters the weekend at the Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water in Surrey.
Following on from his share of 3rd place at last week’s Horizon Irish Open at the K Club, Fox is just three shots from the halfway lead shared by Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg and Sebastian Soderberg following a second round of 68.
This is the 7th time Fox has played this iconic European Tour event but with only one top ten to his credit to date, Wentworth has not been a happy hunting ground until now.
“Yeah, I’m pretty chuffed,” said Fox referring to his improved showing over the famed West Course.
“This is probably not a golf course that’s treated me overly well in the past. I’ve had a couple good scores, but never managed to put four together. So it’s certainly nice to be there or thereabouts for the weekend.
“And today was a lot more solid than yesterday. I gave myself a lot of shots, as yesterday I kind of rode a little bit of a hot putter and the short game was good. But I felt like I hit it really well today, bar maybe a couple tee shots.
“But, yeah, it feels like a golf course you can get and play off the tee, you’ve got some chances. And for the most part, I did a really good job of that today.
“I mean, I love these events. Last week was great and all, and this week is almost a step up from there, you know. We’ve got a great field this week. It just — something about this, screams big event. The setup of the golf course, all the stands everywhere, it’s just a cool event to play, and certainly chuffed I’m around for the weekend.”
Fox began his second round slowly with a bogey at the demanding 3rd hole where he missed the fairway and the green and a 10 foot par saving putt but he would later add five birdies to put himself right in the mix.
Fox’s playing partner over the opening two days, Min Woo Lee is one shot behind Fox at 6 under par, four from the lead and tied for 16th.
Lee birdied his final three holes for a round of 67 and has played his last 24 holes in nine under par after being 3 over par through nine holes of round one.
Adam Scott added a round of 69 today to be tied for 31st and six from the lead, while Jason Scrivener, out late in the day, still has three holes to play of his darkness-disrupted round and is in a share of 39th place.
