New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox makes the cut in Masters debut

Photo: PATRICK SMITH

New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox has made the cut in his first Masters appearance at Augusta becoming the latest New Zealander since Danny Lee in 2016 to book a weekend on the greens in Georgia.

Fox is tied for 15th, after firing a one-under par second round to be three-under overall, nine shots off the clubhouse leader.

American Brooks Koepka hit his way to the top of the leaderboard with a flawless five-under par second round to reach 12-under, before being questioned by officials.

They wanted to know if Koepka had been passing information to compatriot Garry Woodland, after footage from the opening day appeared to show Koepka giving a five-fingered signal to his playing partner.

Koepka used a five-iron from 237 yards out to find the green at the par-five 15th hole during the first round on Friday and then removed his glove with his fingers spread out.

Officials wanted to know if Koepka was passing information to playing partner Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, who had 216 yards left to the pin after his tee shot.

The committee said in a statement “all involved were adamant that no advice was given or requested” and ultimately determined that there was no breach of the rules.

“The funny part about it is I think if he would have known we were hitting five, he would have hit six because I don’t think Gary is that short and he’s 10 in front of me, 12 in front of me?” said Koepka.

Woodland, whose second shot cleared the pond and settled just beyond a greenside bunker, said on Friday after an even-par 72 that he and his caddie did not hear or see anything.

“I hit my shot. When we were walking down, I asked Brooks what he hit, and he said five,” said Woodland. “If I would have known that, I probably would have hit six-iron, and I would have hit six-iron in the middle of the water.

“Luckily for me, I didn’t know what he hit. That’s the end of it.”

Reuters-RNZ