Fox Claims Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale
Ryan Fox captured the 2026 Open Championship on Sunday with a dramatic birdie putt on the 72nd hole at Royal Birkdale. The 39-year-old New Zealander drained a 12-foot putt on the final green to finish at 6-under par, edging American Cameron Young by a single stroke for his first career major title. Fox became only the third New Zealander to win a men’s major championship, joining an exclusive group in his country’s golf history.
Journey to Major Glory
Fox’s path to this victory included significant personal challenges he discussed openly before the tournament. Speaking with CNN in early 2025, he revealed struggles with mental health and the adjustment of joining the PGA Tour as a 37-year-old rookie after years on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour of Australia. The pressure of performance-based competition weighed heavily, especially following the 2024 death of fellow professional Grayson Murray, which prompted Fox to advocate for mental health awareness in the sport.
The final round unfolded with Fox trailing Sam Burns by two strokes at the start, but Burns went birdie-free over the last 12 holes while Fox surged with four birdies in his final six holes. Young had earlier posted a 6-under 64 to set the clubhouse target, and Scheffler finished tied for fourth with Tommy Fleetwood. DeChambeau placed 14th while McIlroy ended tied for 40th in a tournament filled with momentum shifts.
Fox’s athletic lineage includes his father Grant, a former All Blacks kicker, and grandfather Merv Wallace, a New Zealand cricket representative and coach. After the winning putt dropped, Fox raised both arms to a roaring Southport crowd before telling NBC Sports he was at a loss for words. He dedicated the Claret Jug to his wife and children in Florida, who had urged him to bring home a trophy, and acknowledged the late-night support from fans back in New Zealand who stayed up to witness the historic moment.