THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, ABU DHABI — Ryan Fox won the Ras Al Khaimah Classic by five strokes on Sunday, giving him the biggest win of his career.
It was the 211th-ranked New Zealander’s first victory on the DP World Tour in a 72-hole event. His only other victory came in a Super 6 competition in 2019, which followed 54 holes of strokeplay with a six-hole knockout format.
Fox had a six-shot lead and a lot of jitters going into the final round in Abu Dhabi, where he was on 19 under par.
He bogeyed two of his first six holes, allowing the field to come up on him, but he went on to shoot 3-under 69 for a total of 22 under par.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night since I had a six-shot lead,” Fox remarked. “It’s obvious that a handful of the men had a jump on me. I was a little jittery. “All day, I had that horrible sensation in the pit of my stomach.”
“However, I’m quite pleased with how I performed.” There were a few of spectacular shots down the stretch, and it was nice to walk down the last with the putter in hand, especially with so many putts to win.”
After a final-round 66 at Al Hamra Golf Club, the latest leg on the tour’s “Desert Swing,” Ross Fisher finished second.
