Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox is back in the title hunt again, holding a one-shot lead after the first round of the Irish Open on Friday (NZ time).
Fox had the golden touch at the Mount Julie course, nailing seven birdies - including seven through his final 11 holes - on his way to an eight-under par 64.
The Aucklander has been in superb form since the start of the year, beginning with a win at the Ras Al Khaimah in Abu Dhabi in February.
Most recently, he finished third at the BMW International on Monday to record his third top-three finish in his last five events, all part of his climb to No. 56 in the world rankings.
"I'm more surprised, to be honest, than anything else," said Fox after his round. "I've been fighting it on the range the last couple of days and a 64 certainly didn't look likely early in the round.,” Fox said.
"I made a couple of birdies but I was scrapping away and hit a great wedge on my eighth hole (the 17th) and made a few putts as well. So just one of those days that shows how important patience is in a round of golf."
Fox leads a chasing pack of four players tied for second, which includes Frederic Lacroix, Jorge Campillo, Fabrizio Zanotti and Marcel Schneider.
