Brooks Koepka's former coach names DP World Tour graduate most likely to succeed

Brooks Koepka's former coach Pete Cowen says Ryan Fox has the best chance of succeeding on the PGA Tour after earning his card via the DP World Tour.

Ben Smith

20 Nov 2023

Brooks Koepka's former coach names DP World Tour graduate most likely to succeed

Renowned golf coach and swing guru Peter Cowen has suggested Ryan Fox is the best prepared to tackle the PGA Tour after the Kiwi was one of 10 players who earned their playing rights on the North American circuit after the conclusion of the DP World Tour Championship.

Nicolai Hojgaard emerged as the winner in Dubai, banking a cool $3m pay cheque and, while it was ecstasy for the 22-year-old Dane it was misery for his twin brother Rasmus as he narrowly missed out on a PGA Tour card.

In the end it was Fox, along with Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, Thorbjorn Olesen, Alexander Bjork, Sami Valimaki, Robert MacIntyre, Matthieu Pavon, Jorge Campillo and Ryo Hisatsune who will be fully exempt on the PGA Tour in 2024 (apart from the signature events).

Fox has been one of the most consistent performers on the Old World circuit over the last two years. He's picked up four wins, including a statement victory at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

In truth it could have been even better but the 36-year-old was forced to take a brief hiatus from the game after his family endured a tumultuous year which included the death of his father-in-law and his mother-in-law being diagnosed with cancer.

Fox told reporters for the majority of 2023 he was 'running on fumes'.

Cowen, who previously coached Brooks Koepka and a number of elite players, told Golf Digest he reckons Fox will flourish in the U.S.

His coach Jamie Gough also, unsurprisingly, agreed, explaining: "I can see him winning over there. He has the ability to compete anywhere but the American courses will suit his game especially well. His iron play is exceptional.

"And he loves to eat. He loves food—burgers steaks, ribs. He goes to the buffet and the host makes a loss. He'll fit into the American environment very easily. He'll be barbecuing every weekend."

The decision to award PGA Tour cards to the leading 10 players on the DP World Tour has been a contentious.

A number of Tour players, such as England's Eddie Pepperrell, have criticised the decision.

The Englishman even went as far as describing it as a 'disaster'.

DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has repeatedly stated he is tired of the accusations that the European-based circuit has become a 'feeder tour', insisting that those at Wentworth HQ have just formulated a pathway that always existed.

Paul McGinley, unsurprisingly, was in agreement. The former Ryder Cup skipper said the move to award PGA Tour cards was a good deal in exchange for guaranteeing prize purses on the DP World Tour.

"Playing schedules have changed and we are working with cards that have been played with us," he previously said.

"There are some very clever business people on that board - I don't mean me - and to be dismissed so easily as making stupid decisions is disrespectful. It's not deserving and it hurts."