The Open Championship: Ryan Fox wins first major with one-shot win at Royal Birkdale
Stepping on to the 18th tee box at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England, Ryan Fox’s mindset was clear.
It was his final hole of the Open Championship. After a record-equalling score of 62 in his eight-under-par third round brought him into contention, he kept himself in the hunt through the final round.
It came down to the last hole: a par would force a playoff with American Cameron Young. A birdie would win it.
With a perfect drive, a perfect approach and a perfect 3.5m putt, Fox became a major champion.
“I played really solid early and had some great shots down the stretch. To play that last hole how I did, I stood on the tee box and I said to my caddy, Dean, we’re going to try and win this,” Fox told Sky Sports.
“I hit two perfect shots. I’m not sure how I hit the putt. My hands were all over the place, I was just trying to get it toward the hole somewhere. It’s surreal that it went in and Champion Golfer of the Year has a nice ring to it.”
The 39-year-old became the fourth Kiwi major champion, joining Sir Bob Charles, Michael Campbell and Dame Lydia Ko. He’s also the second Kiwi to lift the Claret Jug, with Charles winning the Open Championship in 1963.
Playing in the final group of the tournament alongside Sam Burns, Fox was composed throughout.
Coming into the final round trailing Burns by a shot, Fox made a great start with a birdie on the second, before giving the shot back to the course on the par-four ninth.
Young had to wait it out after earlier carding at 64 and looked more likely to be crowned champion when Fox’s approach at the par three 15th found an awkward lie in the bunker – forcing him to hit back towards the tee from the bunker, leading to a bogey.
But he bounced right back with a birdie at the par four 16th to rejoin Young, who ended his tournament with a bogey on 18, in the lead.
He had a birdie chance on 17, but a par meant everything came down to the final hole of the tournament.
On 18, the second-hardest hole on the course, Fox had his moment.
For the win, he gets $5.5 million and automatic entry into all future Open Championships until the age of 60. He also gets five-year exemptions to play in The Masters, PGA Championship, US Open and The Players Championship.
It is the first time Fox has finished in the top 10 at a major, but he had form on British soil having won at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2022 followed by the BMW PGA Championship in 2023.
“It’s unbelievable, to be honest,” Fox told Sky Sports. ”I still don’t know what to think. My nerves were all over the place, I’m not quite sure how I hit that putt on 18.
“It is a dream come true. Looking at this trophy now, it’s the first time I’ve seen it up close so it’s pretty amazing.”
While Fox celebrated the win, fellow Kiwi Kazuma Kobori also had a strong result, finishing his tournament two under par in a tie for 28th.
Cameron McMillan has been a sports journalist since 2003 and is NZME’s Deputy Head of Sport.
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.