Ryan Fox has claimed the British Open championship, marking a significant achievement in his golf career. His victory came after a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole at Royal Birkdale, securing a one-shot win. This triumph makes him the first New Zealander to win the Open since Bob Charles in 1963.
Fox’s path to becoming a major champion has been described as a slow and steady rise. He did not begin playing golf competitively until he was 17 years old. Before this win, his best finish in 28 major championships was a tie for 16th.
The New Zealander, who is the son of All Blacks rugby great Grant Fox, reflected on his journey, noting that he once considered quitting the sport. During his second year on the PGA Tour of Australasia, facing the possibility of losing his tour card, his father caddied for him at the Australian Masters at Royal Melbourne and encouraged him to find enjoyment in the game again. This experience helped him retain his card and continue his career.
Fox has accumulated several wins throughout his career, including three on the PGA Tour of Australasia and three on the European Tour, which included the BMW PGA Championship. Last year, he also secured two victories on the PGA Tour, one of which was a playoff win against Sam Burns at the Canadian Open.
His professional timeline shows him becoming a European Tour rookie at age 30, a PGA Tour rookie at age 37, and now a major champion at age 39. This makes him the oldest first-time major champion since Henrik Stenson, who was 40 when he won at Royal Troon in 2016.
Dramatic Final Round at Royal Birkdale
The final round of the British Open at Royal Birkdale was closely contested, with a record crowd witnessing the drama unfold. Fox was one of four players who held at least a share of the lead at various points, with Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood also in contention.
Ultimately, the competition narrowed, with Cameron Young emerging as Fox’s main challenger. Young had posted a round of 64 earlier in the day, which was the best score of the day and seemed poised to secure the title. Young had to scramble for a bogey on the 18th hole, hitting a bunker and then nearly holing out from another bunker for par.
Fox demonstrated resilience in his final round, making birdie on four of his last six holes to record a 2-under 68. A crucial moment occurred on the par-3 15th hole when his tee shot landed near the lip of a bunker. Despite the difficult lie, he managed to blast out and pitch to 6 feet, making the bogey putt. He described feeling better about making that bogey than if he had made par.
A birdie on the 16th hole allowed Fox to draw even with Young. Heading into the 18th hole, one of the toughest on the course, Fox decided to play aggressively. He communicated to his caddie, Dean Smith, his intention to try and win the tournament, willing to accept the consequences if it didn’t work out.
His approach paid off with a birdie on the 72nd hole, securing his first major title. Fox described the experience of hitting the winning putt, a 12-foot birdie, as surreal, noting that he couldn’t feel his hands due to nerves but managed to keep the putter face square. The putt found the left edge of the cup, sealing his victory.
A Season of Unexpected Major Winners
Fox’s win contributes to what has been described as an unexpected major season in 2026. This year has seen several first-time major winners, including Aaron Rai and Wyndham Clark, alongside established stars like Rory McIlroy winning the Masters.
The major championships this year have been characterized by unexpected winners who outplayed their opponents, rather than benefiting from others’ collapses. Fox’s victory is seen as a testament to this trend, as he trailed Young by two strokes with six holes remaining but ultimately won by one stroke, despite a bogey in that stretch.
The 18th hole at Royal Birkdale proved to be a significant challenge for many players, with only four of 76 competitors making birdie on it before Fox’s decisive putt. Fox’s ability to birdie this difficult closing hole with three perfect shots highlighted his performance.
The victory at Royal Birkdale earned Fox $3.2 million. His win concludes a major season that has been described as both incredible and unusual, showcasing a shift from years of consistent dominance by a few top stars.
Sam Burns, who was the 54-hole leader with a two-shot cushion, ultimately finished in third place, two shots behind Fox. Burns’s performance marked a continuation of a pattern where he has held leads in major championships but has been unable to close them out.
This year’s British Open adds another chapter to the history of golf, with Fox’s win being a notable highlight. He joins Ian Baker-Finch, the Australian who won at Royal Birkdale in 1991, as an Open champion from Down Under.
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Source: tsn.ca
