A bogey on the par-four 10th meant he gave that shot back to the course, before moving back to one-under two holes later.
However, back-to-back bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes late in the day meant he ended the day one-over with a hole to play.
That mark puts him eight shots off the pace set by American Wyndham Clark, who was six-under through 16 holes when play was suspended for the day. In total, 50 golfers were still on the course when the day’s play was halted.
Clark, who began his round on the back nine, holds a four-shot lead over his closest rivals, with seven players tied for second at two-under.
“Birdieing the first two was really nice. Then I kind of had a little bit of a lull, but made some great par saves. It was great birdieing 18,” Clark said.
“Then a little mishap, missed a shorty on one and then a bogey on two, but then got into a nice rhythm. Yeah, everything was kind of clicking. We were definitely fortunate with the wind laying down. Overall a good round.”
Round one will resume at 6.35am local time (10.35pm NZT), with second round tee times expected to be delayed by 15 minutes.
It means a quick turnaround for those who were still out on the course and needing to finish round one as the players with afternoon tee times for the opening round switch to morning times for round two.
Fox is scheduled to begin his second round about 11.45pm NZT.