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, securing a one-shot win. Fox expressed that the reality of being a major champion would take time to fully register, despite repeatedly watching the replay of his winning putt and seeing his name on the Claret Jug.
Fox’s path to this major title has been a gradual ascent. He did not begin playing golf competitively until he was 17. Before this win, his best finish in 28 majors was a tie for 16th. His journey included a moment early in his career on the PGA Tour of Australasia where he nearly considered leaving the sport. During his second year on that tour, facing the possibility of losing his card, his father, Grant Fox, caddied for him at the Australian Masters. His father encouraged him to focus on enjoying the game, which helped him retain his tour card and continue his career.
Fox’s career progression saw him become a rookie on the European Tour at 30 and a PGA Tour rookie at 37. He is now a major champion at 39, making him the oldest first-time major champion since Henrik Stenson in 2016. His previous successes include three wins on the PGA Tour of Australasia, three wins on the European Tour, and two PGA Tour wins last year, including a playoff victory over Sam Burns in the Canadian Open.
The final round of the British Open at Royal Birkdale saw a close contest. Fox was among four players who held at least a share of the lead at various points. Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood were also in contention. The field narrowed, with Cameron Young emerging as the primary competitor. Young had completed his round with a 64, which was the best round of the day, and for a period, it appeared his score might hold for the win.
Fox demonstrated resilience in the closing holes, making birdie on four of his last six holes. A crucial moment occurred on the par-3 15th hole, where his tee shot landed near the lip of a bunker. He managed to blast out and then pitch to 6 feet, making a bogey putt that he felt was a positive outcome given the situation. A birdie on the 16th brought him level with Young again.
Approaching the 18th hole, which is known for its difficulty, Fox made a strategic decision. He communicated to his caddie, Dean Smith, his intention to aggressively pursue a win rather than playing for a playoff. Only four of 76 players had made birdie on the 18th hole up to that point. His winning putt was described as a “surreal” experience, with Fox noting he had little sensation in his hands but managed to keep the putter face square.
Fox’s victory marks him as the first New Zealander to win the Open since Bob Charles in 1963. His 10-under-par total and final round of 68 were sufficient to beat Young by one stroke. The win also came with a prize of $3.2 million. This outcome concluded a major season that has been described as unexpected, with several first-time major winners.
The 2026 major season saw other unexpected winners, including Aaron Rai and Wyndham Clark. Rory McIlroy also won the Masters. These victories contributed to a season characterized by unpredictable outcomes rather than dominance from established stars. Fox’s win at Royal Birkdale Golf Club concludes a season that has been noted for its unusual and compelling narratives.
Sam Burns, who was the 54-hole leader with a two-shot cushion at Royal Birkdale, experienced a challenging final round. After extending his lead to three shots with a birdie on the par-4 second, he bogeyed holes 4, 5, and 6 consecutively, losing his lead before the front nine was complete. He finished the day with a 73, placing him third, one shot behind Young and two behind Fox. This marked a continuation of a pattern for Burns, who was also close to forcing a playoff at this year’s U.S. Open and was in contention at the Masters before fading.
Burns is the first player since Tom Lehman in 1996 and 1997 to lose an outright 54-hole lead in back-to-back major championships. Despite his talent and five PGA Tour victories, a major championship title remains elusive for him. The PGA Tour season continues with a three-week sprint to the FedExCup Playoffs.
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Source: tsn.ca
