Defeated Ryan Fox in second game of WGC Match Play tournament in Texas

New Zealand's Ryan Fox tees off the second tee during day two of the World Golf Championships Match Play at Austin Country Club.

Harry Hoe/Getty Images

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox tees off the second tee during day two of the World Golf Championships Match Play at Austin Country Club.

Ryan Fox needs a win – and another result to get his way – to force a playoff as he tries to advance to the Sudden Death stage of the WGC Match Play tournament in Texas.

The New Zealand star was beaten 2&1 by USA’s Andrew Putnam in his second Group 7 match on Friday morning (NZ time) – after leading 1-up through 13 holes.

Fox made a bogey on the par-4 14th hole to allow Putnam to tie the head-to-head and his rival then made a birdie on the par-4 15th hole to go 1-up. The pair both made par on 16 before Putnam birdie on the par-3 17th while Fox made par to seal the win.

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Fox will play Saturday morning (NZ time) against Will Zalatoris – who has lost his first two games – who needs a win and for Harris English (1-1) to give Putnam (2-0) his first defeat of the tournament. That would force a three-way playoff.

The New Zealander opened the tournament at the Austin Country Club with a 2&1 victory over Engels.