Ryan Fox secured his first major championship title at The Open on Sunday, sinking a birdie putt on the 18th hole at Royal Birkdale to finish 10-under-par. The victory came 39 years after his father, Grant Fox, a legendary All Blacks fly-half, won the Rugby World Cup.
Fox, 39, birdied the final hole to edge out American Cameron Young by one stroke. Young had posted a clubhouse target of 9-under after a final-round 64, and had waited for over two hours to see if his score would hold. Overnight leader Sam Burns also faltered, finishing tied with Young.
"Wow," Fox said immediately after his victory. "I don't really know what to think at the moment. I've got a lot of people to thank. First of all, my family, my wife and kids are in Florida at the moment. I spoke to my kids last night, and they said, ‘Bring back a trophy’. I think this is a pretty cool one to bring back for them."
Fox's victory marks a significant achievement for the New Zealander, who has endured 14 years on tour with two PGA Tour wins and three on the European circuit. He arrived at Royal Birkdale ranked 56th in the world and had undergone surgery for kidney stones in March.
His performance on the back nine included birdies on the 13th and 14th holes, propelling him into the lead. The final birdie at the 18th secured his place in golf history.
The 154th Open Championship was a dramatic affair, with multiple players holding the lead throughout the final day. Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood were among those in contention, finishing at 7-under par.
Fox becomes the second New Zealander to win The Open, following Sir Bob Charles in 1963. The win is a crowning moment for Fox, capping a career of perseverance and dedication to the sport.