Ryan Fox, the 39-year-old New Zealander, claimed his first major title at The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. He maintained composure amidst challenging conditions, ultimately securing the Claret Jug with a final round of 68, finishing one shot ahead of American Cameron Young.
The final day of the championship was marked by dramatic shifts on the leaderboard. Fox’s victory was sealed with a birdie on the 18th hole, a par-four that had previously yielded only a few birdies throughout the day. His decisive 11-foot putt secured the win, capping off a remarkable performance.
A decisive final hole
Approaching the 18th tee, Fox was level with Young, who had completed his round hours earlier. Fox opted for a driver, hitting a 330-yard tee-shot into the fairway. With 175 yards remaining, he executed an approach shot that landed in the heart of the green, setting up his crucial putt.
Fox described the experience of making the putt, noting that he felt immense shaking but found enjoyment in seeing the ball go in. This victory marks a significant achievement for Fox, who had not previously finished in the top 10 at a major in 28 attempts.
His win also makes him the second New Zealander to lift the Claret Jug, following Bob Charles‘ success in 1963. Fox’s family has a strong sporting legacy, with his father, Grant Fox, being an All Black legend, and his grandfather, Merv Wallace, having captained and coached the New Zealand cricket team.
Challengers and comebacks
Cameron Young, who finished second, had an impressive final round of 64, which propelled him into contention after starting seven shots behind the leader. He set a target of nine under par, hoping it would be enough to secure the title. However, a bogey on the 18th ultimately impacted his chances.
Young reflected on his performance, suggesting that a less-than-perfect day on Saturday, where he shot a one-over 73, was a key factor in falling short. Despite his strong final round, the celebratory cheers for Fox’s birdie on the 18th confirmed his fate.
Sam Burns, who held the lead after 54 holes, finished third on eight-under-par. Other notable performances included Scottie Scheffler and local favourite Tommy Fleetwood, who shared fourth place on seven-under-par.
Fleetwood, who had strong crowd support, moved within one shot of the lead at one point but faced difficulties around the turn with three consecutive bogeys. Despite not winning, he received a rapturous reception on the 18th fairway, where he birdied the final hole.
Fox’s journey to victory included a significant comeback. After an opening round of 72, he was seven strokes behind the lead and in joint 85th place. A second-round 68 moved him to tied 52nd, and an eight-under 62 on Saturday, which tied the record for the lowest round at a men’s major tournament, brought him into contention. Fox’s comeback by position after 36 holes at a major was substantial. He is also the lowest-ranked Open champion since Darren Clarke in 2011.
The tournament saw four players, including Fox, Young, Sam Burns, and Si Woo Kim, top the leaderboard at various points. Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood also came close to the lead. Rory McIlroy concluded his tournament with a 71, finishing at one-under total.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
Daniel Fairbrother is the Senior Football Correspondent at Latest News UK, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with over a decade of reporting experience. He spent eight years on the football desk of a Yorkshire daily before moving into national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Leeds, he watches non-league football and runs a five-a-side league. “The best football stories are won in the week, not on the whistle.”