TELFER’S TAKE 15.9.26

Since becoming a Major Championship winner two months ago it would be fair to say Ryan Fox’s world has become one long demanding blur with a bit of golf (FedEx Cup) thrown into the mix for good measure.

Mobbed by media and fans as soon as he came off the final green at Royal Birkdale, Foxy, with wife and two young daughters, took flight a couple of days later for some peace and quiet back here in NZ. Even his three weeks here had a slightly madcap look about it, as all and sundry wanted a piece of him, all of which probably counted against his being able to produce his best in those three weeks of FedEx Cup golf.

With all of that behind him he’s had a couple of weeks to rest and recuperate at his home in Florida before his next big golfing date which starts this week in Chicago, the Presidents Cup. But even back in America he still had one more big public appearance to make and that was to lead the All Blacks onto the field in front of 68,000 people at the M & T Stadium in Baltimore, prior to the start of that 4th test between the Springboks and the All Blacks. It was an inspired move to have Foxy leading the ABs. The Americans love this sort of stuff, having celebrities from showbiz, politics or other sports throwing the first pitch in say a World Series baseball final. Given America is a golf mad country it was not surprising to see the reception the 68,000 strong crowd duly gave our Foxy when he emerged first from out of the players’ tunnel.

Unfortunately, the All Blacks weren’t able to match Foxy’s winning performance at the Open Championship. But I’m sure Ryan’s father was very proud of his son last Sunday morning.

However, far away from the realm of international rugby, another big-time golfing benefit flowed Foxy’s way last week. He is now listed high up on the FedEx Cup standings following his Open Championship win which forms part of the DP World Tour. Currently Ryan ranks 6th on the Road to Dubai rankings. If he can remain inside the top ten through to the end of the DP World Tour in mid-November, he’ll receive another big bonus payment like he did for finishing inside the top 30 on the USPGA Tour.

Currently he retains 6th place and if he holds that ranking through to the end of the DP World Tour he’ll get a bonus payment of US$250,000, plus prizemoney from the US$10 million which is up for grabs in the Race to Dubai final starting on 12 November.

Meanwhile on last week’s DP World Tour event, Kazuma Kobori completed another week of highly consistent golf finishing in a tie for 14th place, which still leaves him with some work to do over the next month or so in order to lift his ranking to inside the top 50. That will qualify him for the Road to Dubai final in mid-November.

Daniel Hillier faded over the weekend at the Irish Open to finish tied for 46 th . But he’s in 9th place on the DP World Tour. He needs to finish in the top 10 in order to get a playing card for next year’s USPGA Tour. So, some very big days coming up for our two Kiwi hopefuls on the DP World Tour.