While Jordie Barrett, the talented fullback from New Zealand, is busy preparing for his team’s European Champions Cup quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors at the Aviva Stadium, he’s keeping an eye on a fellow countryman, Ryan Fox, who’s competing in The Masters golf tournament in Augusta.

• Fox, an Auckland native, has been a professional golfer since 2012 and has represented New Zealand in various international golf tournaments.
• Barrett has a personal connection to Fox, having met him at a charity golf event in Auckland in December 2022.
• He’s also seen Fox play in person at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.

As the Masters tournament unfolds over the next four days, Barrett is excited to see how Fox performs, particularly since Fox has secured his PGA Tour card and is competing for his second Masters title.
“I’ll be watching plenty of the Masters,” Barrett said during a Leinster media briefing in UCD. “We’ve got a Friday game, so it’ll free up the weekend. Focus is purely on trying to get a result, beat Glasgow and then sit down and watch some of it. Ryan Fox has his PGA Tour card, and he’s in the Masters again.”
Barrett has a deep respect for Fox, who is currently flying the flag for New Zealand golf.
“I’d the opportunity to go to Phoenix about six weeks ago now and walked around the TPC there and followed Ryan Fox for a few days,” Barrett said. “It’s nice, he’s flying the flag for New Zealand golf at the moment.”
Barrett is also highlighting the impressive performances of other New Zealand golfers, including the likes of Rory McIlroy, who has a strong following in the golf world.
“There’s actually a lot of other good New Zealand golfers doing well. So, in some ways, it’s like you guys have Rory McIlroy, and hopefully, he can have a good one this weekend.”
In addition to watching Fox at the Masters, Barrett will be keeping an eye on Leinster’s upcoming game against Glasgow Warriors, which takes place at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night.

Barrett’s focus on the upcoming game against Glasgow Warriors is clear, but he’s also keeping an eye on the golf world, particularly the performances of his fellow New Zealanders.
“It’s certainly not difficult to miss out on a starting berth,” Barrett said when asked about his game time off the bench against Harlequins last Saturday. “If your job is to come on and change a game, to add some value somewhere else, that’s your job for that week.”
Barrett is also keen to adapt to the team’s playing style and make the most of his opportunities.
“If your job is to start, obviously you want to start and play well and put the team in a good position so they can come on and play well. So, I know it sounds very cliché, but it takes 23 players,” Barrett said.
Barrett has previously spent his entire playing career in New Zealand, but his move to Leinster has taken him out of his comfort zone to a certain extent.
“You don’t know what you don’t know, so you see the European games on telly and the sun’s out,” Barrett said. “Even the later kick-offs, eight o’clock, there will still be a bit of light this weekend. Only through chatting to people and sharing their experiences from guys that have come up here before, you only really know what it is about.”
Despite the challenges, Barrett has thoroughly enjoyed his time in Leinster and is excited about the upcoming season.
“Nothing has taken me by surprise, but I have certainly enjoyed it,” Barrett said. “It is a great change of scene, and it was important. I think I got myself out of probably a comfort zone. People and coaches and a country you’re familiar with.”
Barrett’s time in Leinster has been a positive experience, and he’s eager to make the most of his opportunities.
“Just test yourself somewhere else, and I guess test yourself when you are uncomfortable,” Barrett said. “It’s been great, I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s getting to the business end now where we just have to bring our best stuff every single week.