Ryan Fox has described the surreal experience of meeting Donald Trump at the Presidents Cup, where the United States President offered the Kiwi golfer a memorable compliment.
Fox was making his debut for the International team at Medinah Country Club in Chicago when he got to meet Trump, who was attending the event as honorary chairman, and later participated in the trophy presentation.
The 39-year-old said the experience of having the US President at the tournament was unlike anything he had encountered in golf, with heightened security surrounding his appearance.
Speaking to Katie Bradford on Ryan Bridge TODAY, Fox said he got to shake hands with Trump at the first tee, where he congratulated him on his recent Open Championship success.
“I get on the tee and he just said to me, ‘I really like your game and a huge congrats on the Open’,” Fox said.
“To hear that from the President of the United States was pretty cool.
“Regardless of where any of us golfers stand politically, he’s a huge golf fan. There’s a lot of events around the world at his golf courses, and he is mad keen on it.
“Having someone in his office be a fan of golf has been good for the game of golf for the most part.”
Not many Kiwis would have had the chance to be in Trump’s presence, but Fox said it was like something he had never experienced before.
“There’s Secret Service everywhere, there’s snipers, there’s Delta Force squads and everything else rolling around,” Fox said.
“Having him there certainly added to the atmosphere. It did make life a little more difficult for us, with all the extra stuff going on, but that’s all part of it.
“He’s been to quite a few golf events over the last couple of years and I think everyone just knows what’s coming when he’s going to turn up.”
Entering the final day with singles matches, Fox’s international team were ahead by three points, but Team USA rallied to win nine of the 12 matches to secure a 17-13 win.
Fox was solid with his form, winning both of his foursomes (alternate shot) matches, teaming up with Australian Min Woo Lee. His losses came in his one four-ball (best ball) assignment – with him and Australian Adam Scott beaten 3&2 by Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa – while he fell in his singles match against Xander Schauffele 2&1.
Despite being on the losing side, Fox said the opportunity to compete in the team event was one he would remember.
Another surreal experience Fox got to be part of recently was being out on the field with the All Blacks, holding the New Zealand flag as the team sang the national anthem before the fourth test against the Springboks in Baltimore.
The honour came as a surprise, with Fox only finding out a few days beforehand that he would be involved.
He told his parents before the event who misunderstood his text, and were shocked to see him on the field.
“I never dreamt that I would do it,” Fox said. “And yet, to only find out a few days beforehand and to get that call was pretty special.”
“I actually told Mum and Dad that I was going to be out there before the game and they misread my text and they absolutely lost their minds when they saw me out there with the flag before the game.
“To be out there with the guys, I know the result didn’t go the way we wanted to, but the atmosphere was amazing and to get to feel what they feel week in, week out.
“We don’t get much like that in golf. I would say maybe the first tee shot of the Presidents Cup or first tee shot of a major is kind of similar with that kind of atmosphere, but to have 70,000 people screaming in the stands is pretty special and it was great to be a part of it.”
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.