Ryan Fox Wins The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Ryan Fox has etched his name into golf history.
The New Zealander captured his first major championship on Sunday, winning the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale with one of the most memorable finishes in recent tournament history. A pressure-packed birdie on the 72nd hole secured a one-shot victory and earned Fox the coveted Claret Jug.
A Finish Golf Fans Won’t Forget
Fox entered the final hole tied with American Cameron Young, who had posted a brilliant clubhouse-leading 64 hours earlier and appeared destined for a playoff.
Instead, Fox delivered when it mattered most.
He split the fairway with his drive, hit a superb approach to roughly 12 feet, and calmly rolled in the birdie putt on Royal Birkdale’s notoriously difficult 18th hole. The crowd erupted as Fox raised his arms in celebration before embracing family and his caddie.
The winning putt capped a remarkable closing stretch that featured four birdies over his final six holes.
Final Leaderboard
Ryan Fox finished at 10-under-par (270) after a final-round 68.
Top finishers included:
- Ryan Fox: -10
- Cameron Young: -9
- Sam Burns: -8
- Scottie Scheffler: -7 (T4)
- Tommy Fleetwood: -7 (T4)
Cameron Young Comes Up Just Short Again
For Cameron Young, the result was another heartbreaking near miss.
His spectacular final-round 64 looked good enough to force a playoff, but Fox’s incredible finish denied him once again. Young has now endured multiple close calls in major championships despite consistently placing himself in contention.
Sam Burns Couldn’t Hold the Lead
Third-round leader Sam Burns entered Sunday with a two-shot advantage but struggled to maintain momentum.
Early bogeys put him on the defensive, and he failed to make a birdie over the closing dozen holes as Fox charged past him on the back nine. Burns ultimately finished two shots behind the champion.
A Historic Victory for New Zealand
Fox’s victory carries enormous significance beyond his personal achievement.
The 39-year-old becomes just the second New Zealander to win The Open Championship, following Sir Bob Charles’ triumph in 1963. It is also Fox’s first career major after years of steadily climbing through the professional ranks.
His journey has been anything but conventional. Fox spent much of his career competing internationally before reaching the PGA Tour later than many of his peers. Sunday’s victory validates years of persistence and places him among New Zealand’s greatest golfers.
Scottie Scheffler Falls Short
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler mounted a late charge and briefly threatened the leaders before a pair of costly mistakes on the closing holes ended his comeback.
Scheffler finished tied for fourth, ending the 2026 major season without adding another major championship to his résumé.
The Final Word
Every Open Championship seems to produce one unforgettable moment, and this year belonged to Ryan Fox.
Facing the toughest finishing hole on the course with the Claret Jug on the line, Fox delivered a fearless drive, a brilliant approach, and the biggest putt of his career. It was a championship-winning finish worthy of golf’s oldest major and one fans will remember for years to come.
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