With his second runner-up finish for the year at the Rolex trophy Ryan Fox has moved within striking distance of winning the season long Road to Oman race and full exemption to the 2017 European Tour.

The New Zealander is lying second in the standings having played just six events for the year, the only player in the top-15 not to have played at least 11 times.

Fox finished two behind South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli in Geneva to pick up a cheque for €18,500 and within €7,000 of top spot.

The top-15 money earners on the secondary Challenge Tour earn status on the main Tour but the leading money winner receives a full exemption.

Fox was agonizingly close to earning a card in 2015 after finishing 16th on the standings and while certain to advance this year will be taking aim at top spot.

The only Australasian in the field at the limited field Rolex event, Fox made a good run at the title but was outplayed by the South African who was part of the dramatic three way playoff at last year’s Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort.

Starting the day one shot ahead of Fox and in second position Frittelli’s final round 66 was enough to overtake overnight leader Pep Angles of Spain.

Eight full filed events remain on the Challenge Tour schedule before the season ending NBO Grand Final in Oman in November.