Golf: Kiwi Ryan Fox chasing leader into Irish Open final round

  • 08/07/2018
Ryan Fox
Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox. Photo credit: Getty

New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox has fallen four shots behind South African leader Erik van Rooyen at the Irish Open but will enter the final day still tied for second.

The 31-year-old Kiwi began the day in a share of the lead with Van Rooyen and Frenchman Matthieu Pavon, and shot a two-under 70 to sit at 10-under for the tournament.

But the day belonged to Van Rooyen who fired a fired a flawless six-under 66 to sit on 14-under after 54 holes. 

Van Rooyen is in uncharted waters, as he seeks his first European Tour title at the Ballyliffin Golf Club.

"The mindset was just to keep going, I guess," the 28-year-old South African said.

"I wasn't very much aware of my score or the situation.

“You sometimes get in a groove as a golfer, where things just happen, and you hit great shots and great putts, and that's what happened.

"Obviously, I would love to get a win."

Fox meanwhile had a shaky start to his third round, with two bogeys on the front nine. But his fortunes changed late in the round, with three birdies on the final three holes.

"It was a frustrating day," Fox said. "I felt like I drove it really good and I gave myself chances, but my puts didn't drop.

"I'm going to have to do something special tomorrow if I want to win this thing."  

Former Masters champion Danny Willett is a shot back from Fox in fourth, a shot ahead of Scotland's Russell Knox.

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