PGA Tour player reveals serious illness that kept him away from the Players Championship.

Ryan Fox, one of the most consistent players on the PGA Tour, made an unexpected exit from the 2026 Players Championship, leaving fans and fellow professionals concerned. With four finishes in the top 25, $1.7 million in earnings, and a respectable No. 44 position in the world ranking, everything seemed to be going well for the New Zealand golfer. However, just five hours before his Thursday tee time, Fox was forced to withdraw due to health complications.

The player revealed on social media that he was diagnosed with kidney stones, a problem that kept him out of the tournament. “Not exactly the week I had planned here @theplayers. Unfortunately, some kidney stones took me down Tuesday night, and then I had to have surgery this afternoon. Devastated to miss such an amazing event, I hope to have a quick recovery and be back soon,” Fox wrote on his Instagram, sharing the experience directly from his hospital bed.

After his withdrawal, the tournament organizers quickly replaced Fox with the first alternate, David Ford, who joined Chris Kirk and Keegan Bradley in the group. Fox had already shown solid performance in previous competitions, including a T24 at the WM Phoenix Open and a T7 at the Genesis Invitational. His upward form indicated that he was prepared for a notable performance at TPC Sawgrass, where he had improved his ranking over the years, with a T27 in 2023 and a T20 last year.

Before his withdrawal, Fox was ranked 21st in Strokes Gained: Total, with an average driving distance of 314.4 yards, a feat that placed him 17th on the Tour. Despite dropping in the participant list, the tournament continued to attract 45 of the top 50 players in the world, maintaining its prestige.

The news about the golfer’s health sparked an outpouring of support on social media. Fans, affectionately calling him “Foxy,” flooded the comments section with messages of encouragement and love. “Wishing you all the best for your recovery, Foxy!” and “Gutted for you Foxy. Heal well. Sending love to gorgeous Annika too xxx” were just a few of the comments expressing the solidarity of the golfing community golf.

The Masters, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the golf calendar, is just five weeks away, and its fans are already looking to the future. “Stay strong, Foxy. Take care for the Masters x,” commented a fan, reflecting the hope and anticipation that Fox will return stronger after his recovery.

Although his participation in the Players Championship ended abruptly, Ryan Fox’s determination and the unwavering support of his fans ensure that this is not the end of his promising season. With health as a priority, Fox is confident that he will be back on the course soon, ready to face the challenges that await him.