Ryan Fox says to have etched his name ‘in the history’ of golf is ‘pretty awesome’ after he birdied the 18th hole in the final round on Sunday to seal a one-shot win at the 2026 Open.
The fans at Royal Birkdale were treated to a thrilling finish as Fox pipped clubhouse leader Cameron Young on the final hole, firing a birdie to finish on 10 under and lift the Claret Jug.
Young bogeyed the 18th hole to set the clubhouse target at nine under after a blistering final-round 64 – but as he was warming up on the range for a potential play-off, Fox played two stunning shots to set up a 12-foot putt for glory which he drained to secure victory.
Two perfect shots
“I hit two perfect shots. I’m not sure how I hit the putt. My hands were all over the place,” said New Zealander Fox, who is the son of former All Blacks fly-half Grant Fox.
“I was just trying to get it towards the hole somewhere. It’s surreal that it went in,” he added on Sky Sports.
“My focus with the putter all day was just take a really deep breath before I hit it and just try to hit a line, and I did that.
“I don’t know how I managed to keep the putter face square enough for that to go on line, but I’ll take it.
Dream come true
“Champion Golfer of the Year has got a pretty good ring to it. It is a dream come true.
“You do dream of this moment. I don’t know whether I ever thought it was going to become a reality.
“Now it is, and to have my name etched in the history of the game is pretty awesome. I think it’s pretty awesome for New Zealand as well. It’s going to be big down there.”
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Fleetwood finishes fourth
Fox, 39, is the first New Zealander to win The Open since Bob Charles in 1963, and he added: “I spoke to my kids [on Saturday night], and they said bring back a trophy.
“I think this is a pretty cool one to bring back for them.
“I don’t know if my dad would be able to contain himself when I was coming down the stretch.
“He’s never been one who has been very good if he doesn’t have control over things.
“I think when he was playing and in control of the output, under pressure he was fine. But when he doesn’t have control, I think he’s a nervous wreck. I’m sure he was.”
American Sam Burns finished third on eight under, while Scottie Scheffler and local favourite Tommy Fleetwood finished fourth after both closing on seven under.
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Michael Davey 
Juliette White 
SportJustSport writers