After flying halfway around the world on Sunday, Ryan Fox has shrugged off jetlag and all of the COVID-19 restrictions to again shoot a solid 4-under 67 to be just 3 shots from the lead after round two of the British Masters in Newcastle.
Another round of 5 birdies and a bogey put him in a great position for the final two days behind outright leader Renato Paratore from Italy on 11-under and those tied for second place South Africa’s Justin Harding and England’s Dale Whitnell on 10-under.
Speaking after the round at Close House Golf Club, Fox said he was very happy with his form given the process of actually getting to play in the tournament.
“I’m very happy, I haven’t played proper tournament golf since March and you never know quite what to expect and I flew in from New Zealand on Sunday morning,” Fox said.
“I was expecting a bit of jet lag but to come out and play some pretty solid golf for two days. I’m very happy.”
Fox hasn’t played on the European Tour since the Mexico Championships in February and the effort in actually getting out of New Zealand to the United Kingdom was a challenge.
“Entering the tournament bubble has been pretty simple to be honest. The process of getting me into the bubble was a little different – getting out of New Zealand was pretty tough as no one’s getting out of there,” Fox said.
“I landed on Sunday morning, drove up here straight away, got tested as soon as I got here. I waited for the result and managed to check myself into the hotel, socially distance and self-isolate basically.
“As soon as I got the negative result I was fine to come to the golf course and practice and have lunch in the clubhouse.
“It’s a bit different than normal but it’s certainly better than sitting at home and not playing any golf, that’s for sure.”
Fox said he is excited about being able to base himself in the UK for a couple of months before the eventual trip back to New Zealand and isolation.
“I was very happy to hear about these events. I still had to figure out a few things to actually get over here and leave New Zealand. But to have six events in a row in the UK, and it looks like we’ll have a few more in October, it definitely makes the travel a little easier.
“I have a base up here in England so that made it easier to come up. Unfortunately, my wife is not travelling with me at the moment like she usually does but I’m out here for three months, then two weeks of managed isolation when I get back to New Zealand which will be quite difficult but at least we’ve got some events on the schedule, that makes the trip worthwhile.”
Fox will tee off at 1.10 pm on Friday (England time) which is just after midnight in New Zealand.