Golf: Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox comes up short at Saudi International

Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox has come up just short in his quest for a second European Tour title at the star-studded Saudi International.

Fox started the final round four shots off the lead held by world No.1 Dustin Johnson, but again inconsistency plagued him as he tried to hunt Johnson down.

The 34-year-old managed five birdies and three bogies to card a two-under 68 to finish 11-under for the tournament. 

Johnson showed just why he's the worlds best player holding off rivals Tony Finau and Justin Rose to claim his second Saudi International in three years. 

The American was consistent throughout his final round carding three birdies with just the one blemish on the par-three 16th to shoot a two-under 68 to finish two shots clear at 15-under. 

The 36-year-old overcame a cold putter early in his round to capture his ninth European Tour title. 

"Conditions were tough when I started," Johnson says. "I knew I was hitting it well but I saw the leaderboard and guys were playing well. 

"I kept giving myself chances - I didn't hole any of them but I hit good shots and I finally holed a really nice putt on 13 and from there on I played solid."

Even though Fox will be disappointed he came up short in his quest for a second tour title, it's not all bad news. 

The Kiwi will pocket a cool $135,000 for his week's work, as well as moving up 40 places to 34th in the season-long Race to Dubai. 

Fox will rush back to New Zealand to spend two-weeks in managed isolation before figuring out what the rest of 2021 looks like with a real possibility this was his final tournament of the year.