DUNES BEACH AND GOLF CLUB: Ryan Fox picked up his first PGA Tour victory with a chip-in birdie on the first playoff hole at the Myrtle Beach Classic, Sunday.
Eighteen was a lucky number for Fox in Sunday’s final round. Fox, who customarily plays on the European Tour, now has 18 professional wins under his belt. The New Zealand native was already in the clubhouse when leader Mackenzie Hughes sprayed his tee shot into the rough on no. 18, leading to a bogey that dropped Hughes into a three-way tie with Harry Higgs and Fox at 15-under-par. A short time later, Fox chipped in from beyond the fringe to secure a birdie and claim victory on the first playoff hole which was, fittingly, hole no. 18.
Video of Ryan Fox’s chip-in birdie on no. 18 (playoff)
Hughes had a chance to avert the drama, but couldn’t sink his par putt from just outside of ten feet on his final hole of regulation play. Fox, who qualifies for the PGA Championship thanks to his victory in Myrtle Beach, birdied holes 10, 13, 15 and 17 to put himself in position.
Third-round leader Carson Young (Clemson) was in contention entering the back nine before a bogey on the par-5 15th derailed his chances. Young (-11) was two-over-par, Sunday, and finished tied for 13th.
Trace Crowe (Easley, Hilton Head Christian Academy) was under par in all four rounds and finished tied for 27th at -8. Bill Haas carded a 68 in Thursday’s opening round but couldn’t duplicate that success on the weekend, finishing the tournament at +3.
The two amateurs, Jackson Byrd and Nathan Franks, closed out their first PGA Tour events with final rounds at even par 71. Byrd (Clemson) finished at -2 and Franks (USC) finished at -5.
Franks didn’t have time to bask in the experience as he was whisked away to the airport for a cross-country flight to join his Gamecocks teammates at the NCAA Regionals in Bremerton, Wash.
Final Leaderboard
