Defending champion Ti Fox and The Australian’s Sophie Tong have grabbed the early advantage after round one of the 2026 NSW Junior Championship at Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club today.
Concord’s Fox carded a two-under 70 to sit a shot clear of New South Wales Golf Club’s Evan Nguyen, with Cromer’s Hamish Robb and Cronulla’s Beau Cain tied for third at even par after matching 72s.
Fox, who won the Fore Golf Junior Matchplay at Magenta Shores last October, said his short game bailed him out on a day when his ball-striking wasn’t quite firing.
“Hit it pretty average, missed quite a few greens, but the up and downs were pretty insane,” Fox said.
“I didn’t chip it to a foot, then hit it to 20 feet and holed the putt. So the putter was pretty hot. Definitely the putter at the minute, and just picking the right shot, really.”
The round caps off a hectic few weeks of travel for the seventeen year old, who has been chasing form on the road before returning home to defend his title.
“I was in Brisbane for a week and came third there. I played well, hit the ball really well, just putted pretty poor. Then over in America for a week and again, same thing, hit it pretty well, just got a little bit unlucky and learned a lot,” he said.
“Came back and I’ve put a few things into play, and it’s definitely showed today.”
Despite the jet lag, Fox said he was feeling fresh for the opening round, even if he expects the travel to catch up with him.
“I’m not too bad at the minute, I had quite a big sleep last night so I’m feeling pretty alright, but I know I’m going to crash this arvo.”
As defending champion, Fox said the extra expectation hasn’t changed his mindset heading into the week.
“Not really, it’s just a golf tournament at the end of the day, so I’ve just come here to play to win,” he said.
“Obviously I always come here to win, but after all the travel, the long flight, the jet lag, not feeling great, if I don’t, I don’t. But I’m going to try my best to.”
Fox’s course history at Magenta Shores clearly counts in his favour.
“I’ve had good history in the past, I won the Matchplay here last October, so having good recent history here is always obviously a bit of a pep in my step,” he said.
“Definitely nice to come back from the last two weeks and play a course that’s in really good condition.”
In the girls’ field, Tong leads on +3 after a round of 76, with a trio of players tied for second on +4: Bonnie Doon’s Sondrine Bethke, Avondale’s Kiara Connolly-Jackson and Castle Hill’s Farmaan Dhillon, who each carded 77.
The final round will tee off at Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club from 7:30am tomorrow.
