Ryan Fox secured his first major championship title at The Open Championship, held at Royal Birkdale, by sinking a birdie putt on the 72nd hole. This victory marks a significant achievement for Fox, who had not previously finished higher than 16th in a major tournament. His win came after a dramatic final round, where he overcame a fluctuating leaderboard and challenging course conditions.
Fox, a New Zealander, began the final day several shots behind the leaders. Despite a bogey at the ninth and another at the 11th hole, he rallied with three birdies on the back nine to re-enter contention. This strong finish positioned him for a decisive moment on the 18th hole.
Dramatic Conclusion at Royal Birkdale
Heading into the 18th hole tied with Cam Young, Fox needed a birdie to avoid a playoff. The 18th hole at Royal Birkdale had proven particularly challenging throughout the tournament, yielding only four birdies on the final day and 27 throughout the entire week, making it the toughest hole on the course. Fox delivered a precise drive down the middle of the fairway, followed by an approach shot that landed within 11 feet of the cup, setting up his championship-winning putt.
Upon sinking the putt, Fox lifted his arms in triumph, securing the Claret Jug. He later described the experience, stating, “To play that last hole how I did, I stood on the tee and said to my caddie Dean, we’re going to try to win this. I hit two perfect shots. I’m not sure how I hit the putt. As I said, my hands were all over the place. I was just trying to get it towards the hole somewhere. It’s surreal that it went in.”
Fox’s final round score was a 68, bringing his tournament total to 10-under. His victory makes him the fourth Kiwi to win a major championship, joining Sir Bob Charles, Michael Campbell, and Lydia Ko.
Key Moments and Contenders
The tournament saw several players make strong pushes for the lead. Cameron Young, who started seven shots back on Sunday, posted a final round 64 to establish the clubhouse lead at 9-under. However, a crucial bogey on the 18th hole ultimately prevented him from entering a playoff with Fox.
Another notable performance came from Sam Burns, who held a two-shot lead heading into the final round after consecutive rounds of 62 and 65, the lowest consecutive scores in major championship history. Burns, whose wife gave birth two weeks early allowing him to compete, struggled on the front nine with three bogeys in his first six holes and was unable to regain his advantage.
The 154th Open Championship also featured discussions surrounding Bryson DeChambeau and a two-shot penalty he received in the second round for “improving his lie.” Despite initial speculation about his withdrawal, DeChambeau continued to play, ultimately finishing in a tie for 14th.
The tournament was also marked by several low scores, with four rounds of 62 recorded at Royal Birkdale, three of which occurred in the last three days. These included rounds by Lucas Herbert, Sam Burns, and Fox himself, who shot a 62 on Saturday that propelled him into contention.
Fox, the son of All Blacks rugby legend Grant Fox, has 19 professional wins worldwide and previously won four times on the DP World Tour before joining the PGA Tour in 2024. After falling outside the top 100 in 2025, he secured victories at the Myrtle Beach Classic and the RBC Canadian Open in 2026. He entered The Open Championship with winning odds ranging from 150-to-200-to-1, and was eight shots back after his second round at even par.
Fox’s ability to navigate the challenging holes at Royal Birkdale, including birdies on the 13th and 14th and a par save on the 17th after finding a fairway bunker, proved instrumental in his victory. His triumph at Royal Birkdale on July 19, 2026, solidified his status as the Champion Golfer of the Year.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.