Ryan Fox faced a vastly different sort of pressure as the top Kiwi golfer returned to competitive golf today for the first time since his breakthrough DP World Tour win.

Three weeks after triumphing at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic in the United Arab Emirates, the 35-year-old displayed a few nerves on the first tee of Waihi Golf Club. It wasn't the gallery or the long-drive competition causing him jitters, however; more the prospect of facing an over from Black Caps left-arm test star Neil Wagner.

Neil, admittedly, was armed with a tape-bound tennis ball off a short run-up and the impromptu cricket match was in decidedly friendly spirits, with the pair duking it out as part of The Fox golf and fishing tournament, raising money for charity. They were joined by Fox's father and All Black great Grant, rowing champion Eric Murray and professional golfer Mark Brown, with Fox Jnr delighted to be back at the event for the third year.

The Fox celebrities, from left, Grant Fox, Mark Brown, Eric Murray, Neil Wagner and Ryan Fox at the Waihi Golf Club today. Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

"To get to host something like this is a bit beyond belief," says Ryan. "It's pretty cool to have my first event after winning back here. It's been a great event for the last couple of years and it was a bit up in the air with Covid this year but everyone seems really glad to be out there and everything has worked out well in the end."

Ryan's win in the United Arab Emirates meant a whole lot more than just a $500,000 bank account boost. It guaranteed him a spot on the tour for the next two years and vaulted his world ranking back up to 119, leaving him with goals of making the President's Cup team at the end of the year and breaking into the world's top-50.

But his short term goal was to enjoy a day's golf with one of the 17 teams at the tournament, before taking to Tauranga Harbour tomorrow to chase some snapper and kahawai.

"We've got a couple of great charities down here in Waihi Beach, with the local surf club and Coastguard, and it's fantastic to be able to support them and the work they do."

Golf star Ryan Fox tees it up at his own charity tournament, The Fox, at the Waihi Golf Club today. Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

Last year's The Fox raised $47,000 for the charities, adding to the $24,000 raised in the inaugural year, and tournament director Kelsen Butler said they were hopeful of another big effort this year.

"There's not as many world ranking points up for grabs for Ryan this week but this is a cause really close to his heart and we've again had amazing support for this tournament," says Kelsen. "Covid has created its own challenges but we're delighted to be able to put this event on for the third year in a row."

Golf star Ryan Fox (right) and Black Caps pace bowler Neil Wagner at the Waihi Golf Club today. Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.