Ryan Fox looking forward at return to Singapore

Ryan Fox will be on the hunt for more glory when he tees off in this month’s Singapore Classic at Laguna National Golf Resort Club as the DP World Tour returns to Singapore for the first time since 2014.

Almost four years after enjoying a gentle stroll around Laguna National’s Classic Course, the top New Zealand golfer will be aiming to tame ``The Beast'' when he returns to the venue for the inaugural Singapore Classic from February 9-12.

It was in March, 2019, that the high-flying Kiwi stopped off in Singapore en route to the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, squeezing in 18 holes on the Classic Course.

After firing a stress-free three-under-par 69, Fox predicted the course would offer a stern test for a high calibre professional event.

“My first impressions of the golf course were that it was a really good test of golf that I believe would stand up very well for a tournament,’’ Fox said.

``On the day we played we had some relatively friendly pin positions. But I could see the course playing tough when set up in tournament conditions.

“The sloping greens are a great defence of the course and they put a premium on good iron play and coming in from the fairway. With the flags tucked away you really have to control your ball well. With the greens a little faster, it would make it really tough if you were in the wrong spots on or around the greens.” 

In addition to that Laguna National experience, Fox played in Singapore in 2011, finishing tied 17th at Singapore Island Country Club in the third edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, won by Hideki Matsuyama.

This month will be Fox's first competitive appearance as a professional on Singaporean soil. And he’ll be arriving in good spirits having enjoyed a banner year in 2022, finishing a career-high second on the DP World Tour rankings.

The Kiwi won twice, taking his tally of victories to three, also recording four runner-up finishes and four further top-10s across the season – moving to a career-high 23rd in world rankings.

“I’m really looking forward to returning to Singapore to play this year’s Singapore Classic,” said 32-year-old.

“One of the great things about the DP World Tour is the opportunity we get to travel the world and compete in so many different places, so to tick off a new country and a new venue is very exciting.

“After last year’s success, I’m really keen to kick on and see what the coming year brings. I feel really good about my game and hopefully I can give my best showing for the fans in Singapore.

“I know there’s a big expat community of New Zealanders in Singapore, and it would be great to see them at Laguna National.”

Based on his memories from 2019, Fox may well adopt a slightly more conservative approach for the $US2 million tournament, taking fewer drivers off the tee.

“On a second go around, I think I would play a bit more conservatively at a few holes to take some of the trouble out of play,” said the son of legendary All Black fly-half Grant Fox, part of the winning team in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.

The Singapore Classic is a new addition to the DP World Tour’s global schedule for 2023.

A facility member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, Laguna National previously hosted the Singapore Masters from 2002 to 2007.

Patrick Bowers, executive championship director, Singapore Classic, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the DP World Tour on their long-awaited return to the country in staging the Singapore Classic.

“The excitement of a fresh new event committed through 2025, but at the same time rooted in the heritage which the tour enjoys in the nation, is invigorating.

“I personally recall the excitement of Colin Montgomerie thrilling crowds by winning in commanding style, Nick Dougherty earning his inaugural tour victory here, and the milestones of witnessing the tour’s first winner from China and India in Zhang Lianwei and Arjun Atwal. Now we turn our attention to beginning a new era.”

The 2006 edition of the Singapore Masters, also held at Laguna National, was the scene of one of the most memorable moments in the country’s golfing history, when home favourite Mardan Mamat lifted the trophy, finishing one stroke ahead of England’s Dougherty.