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'I'm living my dream right now': Fox tries to temper emotions for US Open bid after Canadian triumph
Stephen Foote • June 10th, 2025 2:20 pm
Ryan Fox | Photo: Photosport
Twenty-four hours after his sensationally clutch performance at the Canadian Open, Ryan Fox admits he's still trying to piece together his thoughts.
The Aucklander had ice in his veins down the stretch at the Osprey Valley course, forcing a playoff against Sam Burns with a long-range gem of a putt on the 18th.
He backed that up by maintaining his mettle through a taxing quartet of playoff holes, eventually setting himself up for victory with a magnificent 3-wood off the fairway he later described as "the shot of my life."
All that less than a month removed from having secured his maiden PGA Tour title at the Myrtle Beach Classic, becoming the first Kiwi since Sir Bob Charles in 1963 to claim a pair of victories in a single season.
The morning after some relatively tame celebrations, Fox said the milestone month had taken its toll - in the best kind of way.
"It's been a whirlwind, to be honest," Fox told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy. "It was pretty stressful."
Izzy loses the plot after Ryan Fox's heroics | Scotty & Izzy
"It's unbelievable. We had the All Whites out there yesterday watching and hearing 'Foxy' all over the place was amazing.
"All the messages of support I'm still trying to get through them. I'm not very good at typing or reading at the moment but they've been incredible.
"I'm living my dream right now."
The 38-year-old hasn't been afforded much time for celebration. His exploits on Monday secured him the final spot for this weekend's US Open, meaning a hasty repacking of bags and an ad-hoc trip south.
It's a scenario Fox is well acquainted with, after his win at Myrtle Beach last month necessitated a hasty readjusting of plans to make the short journey to the PGA Championship in Charlotte.
He now has just a few days to sneak in some practice rounds at the notoriously demanding Oakmont Country Course, whose reputation precedes it.
Sitting in the players' lounge at Oakmont, Fox says he expects to be brought back to earth - and humbled just as quickly - from the highs of Toronto.
Ryan Fox | Photo: Photosport
"I've heard enough about it that I'm scared to go out there," he said with only the faintest hint of humour.
"I've been last man in the field two majors in a row, which is, logistically, a bit of a pain in the arse, but it's a good problem to have.
"From what I've heard from the guys I know that have played on it the last few days, it's just going to be a brute. You hit it in the rough, you're pretty much hacking it out sideways. The greens are running at some obscene speed and they're very slopey, so that's going to be a lot of fun for me."
Fox will be looking to become the second New Zealander to win the famous US Open, following in the footsteps of Michael Campbell's iconic achievement back in 2005.
But unforgiving greens aside, Fox believes his biggest obstacle this weekend will be replenishing his gas tank and maintaining the momentum of a magical month.
"The thing this week is going to be just trying to keep my energy levels up. I'm knackered.
"I got three hours of sleep last night and that wasn't from drinking or anything, my brain was just buzzing.
"Don't get me wrong, I did have some wine."
Listen to the full interview below:
