Ryan Fox started strong in Sun City, with his attack on the European number 1

the new zealand Ryan Fox carded seven birdies and an eagle for a 64 shot (-8) in the first round and leads the Ryder Cup’s European captain, Luke Donald, in the DP World Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge, penultimate tournament of the 2022 tour, in Gary Player Country Club of the South African resort of Sun City.

Meanwhile, the Basque Adrian Otaegui he cracked the top 10 with a three-under-par round of 69 and tied for seventh.

Fox, 35, is hoping to become the first New Zealander to be crowned European number one next week in DP Dubai World Championshiptournament that closes the 2022 circuit. This is the great rivalry of Rory McIlroy and Matthew Fitzpatrick, both absent from Sun City.

Victory at Nedbank will put him ahead of McIlroy heading to Dubai. The son of the former All Black, Grant Fox, started the week well, with a missed shot on the 3rd hole (bogey).

Donald had a flawless 65, including five birdies in his last nine holes, while Italian Guido Migliozzi had three birdies in his last four holes to post a 67 and move into third place on the table.

Regarding the performance of the Spaniards, Otaegui continues to be the most reliable in recent months, he saved the face of our team with a very good card of 69 shots, which included two birdies, an eagle and a bogey on his card, in hole 1 of this real golf course, a complete test for 66 participants (no court).

The remaining Spaniards will have to row this Friday if they want to be in contention for victory on Sunday.

Classification (par 72):

64 Ryan Fox (NZL)

65 Luke Donald (GBR)

67 Guido Migliozzi (Ita)

68 Min Woo Lee (Aus)

Richard Bland (GBR)

Fabrizio Zanotti (Pair)

69 Adrian Otaegui (Spa)

…

70 Tommy Fleetwood (GBR)

72 Rafa Cabrera (Spa)

Jorge Campillo (Spa)

75 Adri Arnaus (Spa)

80 Pablo Larrazábal (Esp)