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‘Trying too hard’: Ryan Fox opens up on post-Open struggles
Sport Nation • August 26th, 2026 10:13 am
Ryan Fox | Photo: Photosport
Ryan Fox admits he is finding it harder to switch off the increased expectations surrounding him after his breakthrough Open Championship victory.
Fox is preparing for the Tour Championship at East Lake, where the Kiwi will compete among the final 30 players in the FedExCup standings.
The 38-year-old has endured a frustrating return to the PGA Tour, struggling with his driver after taking time away from the game following his Open triumph.
Since his heroics at Royal Birkdale, Fox has struggled to reproduce that form, finishing tied 58th at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and tied 47th at the BMW Championship.
Ryan Fox reveals his post-Open triumph celebrations | Sport Nation Mornings
Fox said he had also noticed a change in his mindset, with the increased attention making it harder to remain patient on the course.
“I’m probably finding it a bit hard to focus on the golf course at the moment,” Fox said.
“I kind of get down on myself a little bit quickly after hitting a bad shot. I don’t know if the expectations have changed or if I’m just being a bit harder on myself at times.
"A month ago I'm on top of the world and feel like I can't do anything wrong, take a few weeks off and all of a sudden I can't hit a fairway and I can't hole a putt."
Fox has been working with his team to rediscover the driver that helped him win the Open, while acknowledging he may be trying too hard to replicate his recent success.
“I’m maybe trying too hard to want to play well,” he said. “Sometimes golf’s not very nice like that. If you try too hard, you actually get worse.”
Listen to the full interview below:
