‘Motivated’ Fox aims to add bite to PGA Cup challenge

Graham Fox will look to rekindle some happy match play memories when he takes on the United States as a member of Great Britain & Ireland’s PGA Cup team at Slaley Hall from September 20-22.

The West Kilbride golfer revels in the format having enjoyed a successful amateur career with Scotland, including winning the Home Internationals and being named as part of the 2001 Walker Cup squad.

The 36-year-old is one of four Scots in Russell Weir’s GB&I team who are aiming to recapture the Llandudno Trophy which America has dominated in recent years having won the last three encounters.

“It’s a big motivation to take on the United States and do well. There should be a great camaraderie and atmosphere and I love match play,” said Fox, who is currently riding high in the Tartan Tour standings alongside fellow PGA Cup team members Greig Hutcheon, Scott Henderson and Gareth Wright.

“Match play is a very carefree style golf. It’s one of the few times on a golf course where you can play aggressive golf and it doesn’t really matter if you chalk up a birdie or quadruple bogey, you just move on to the next hole.”

Fox is anticipating a tough battle at the Northumberland resort having gained a sneaking admiration for how the Americans play the game while attending the University of Central Alabama for three years, where he studied economics and his peers included the Scandinavian pair of Soren Hansen and Carl Pettersson.

“The Americans have a good mindset when it comes to golf, they are very positive in every aspect of golf which is something I learned when I was over there. You need to be upbeat and positive otherwise you never get anywhere.”

He also acknowledged US golfers are renowned for being big hitters due to the favourable conditions in which they learn the game.

“They play a different game to us, especially given the elements we have in Scotland where we are fighting to keep the ball low in the wind while wrapped up against the cold. In contrast they play in lovely weather and tee shirts. They are taught to smash the ball from an early age but I’m not sure if that will be the case at Slaley Hall as it’s a tough course.

“I think the fact we have a few guys who qualified via the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at Slaley will be a huge advantage. The greens can be pretty treacherous, sometimes good shots can be finding the right part of the green rather than taking on the flag.”

Away from golf, Fox, a teaching professional at Clydeway Golf in Glasgow, is a big Arsenal fan and despite seeing his team not win a trophy for eight years still has faith in under pressure manager Arsene Wenger to put some silverware in the trophy cabinet.

He places similar faith in Weir and his GB&I team-mates as they look to loosen America’s grip on the Llandudno Trophy.

“I don’t think of us as underdogs at all and that’s because I know the quality of the players in this team,” added Fox who will be cheered on by his wife, young son and both sets of parents.

“The Scots lads are all playing consistently well and I know the others are too so we’re well set.”