MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Ryan Fox, of New Zealand, secured victory at the Myrtle Beach Classic on Sunday, achieving his first PGA Tour title. His triumph was sealed with an impressive chip from beyond 50 feet on the first playoff hole, ensuring his return to the PGA Championship.
Fox closed the day with a card of 66 strokes under par, which seemed not to be enough when Mackenzie Hughes reached the 18th hole with a one-stroke lead. However, Hughes struggled with his tee shot, which led to a playoff.
In the playoff, both Hughes and Harry Higgs, who also tied at the top, had birdie opportunities. Fox, from the rough, managed a masterful shot that gave him the birdie and the victory.
Higgs and Hughes failed to make their birdie putts.
Fox, 38, already had three victories on the European circuit, including the BMW PGA Championship in 2023, and reached number 23 in the world ranking. However, he had not yet achieved a top 10 on the PGA Tour this year.
The winner of the Myrtle Beach Classic secured a spot in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. This will be Fox’s fourth consecutive appearance in the major.
The victory also earns Fox a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and a spot in The Sentry at Kapalua for the start of next year.
