Ryan Fox wins first major title with birdie on 18th at The Open

Ryan Fox secured his first major title at The Open Championship, capping a dramatic final round with a birdie on the 18th hole to edge out American Cameron Young by a single stroke. The 39-year-old New Zealand native, son of All Blacks rugby legend Grant Fox, finished at 10-under 270, claiming the Claret Jug and etching his name into golfing history as the third Kiwi to win a men’s major, joining Bob Charles (1963) and Michael Campbell (2005).

Fox’s victory came after a rollercoaster Sunday at Royal Birkdale, where the conditions tested even the most seasoned players. After a sluggish start to his final round, Fox rallied with four birdies over his last six holes, including a 12-foot putt on the 18th that sealed his triumph. The moment was captured in a cacophony of cheers, as Fox’s caddie later recalled, “He hit it exactly how he wanted to. I begged it to be good.” The putt, which Fox described as “the biggest of my life,” was the culmination of a remarkable comeback. He had been seven strokes behind the lead after the first round and clawed his way back with a record-tying 62 on Saturday, the third 62 of the tournament.

Young, the clubhouse leader after shooting a 6-under 64, had a chance to extend his lead but bogeyed the 18th after a series of misfires. His final hole, which included a driver into a bunker and a near-miss on the green, left him at 9-under 271. “I gave it everything I had all the way through,” Young said, adding, “I thought 10 [under par] had a decent chance.” Despite his efforts, he fell short, finishing one shot behind Fox. Young’s performance was a stark contrast to his earlier dominance, as he had surged up the leaderboard with a blistering front nine, including three consecutive birdies to start his round.

The tournament featured a thrilling battle among multiple contenders. Sam Burns, the 54-hole leader, faltered with three bogeys on the front nine, settling for third at 8-under. Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion, made a valiant push but bogeyed the 18th after a missed birdie attempt, finishing tied for fourth. Meanwhile, hometown favorite Tommy Fleetwood, who had dreamed of winning at Royal Birkdale since childhood, fell back after a triple-bogey on the 11th but salvaged a birdie on the 18th for a 68, finishing in a tie for fourth.

Fox’s journey to victory was anything but straightforward. After a 72 in the opening round, he was tied for 85th place. A 68 in the second round lifted him to 52nd, but it was his 62 on Saturday that transformed his prospects. The round, which tied the lowest in men’s major championship history, saw Fox surge into contention, eventually joining the final group with Burns. Despite a rocky start to the final round, including a bogey on the 11th, Fox’s resilience shone through. He birdied the 13th and 14th holes to tie Young, then navigated a harrowing 15th hole, where his tee shot caromed off a bunker, forcing a tricky recovery. “That kept me in it,” he said, before sinking a 10-foot birdie on the 16th to tie for the lead.

Fox’s final hole was a masterclass in composure. With the pressure mounting, he drove 330 yards down the fairway, then hit a 175-yard 9-iron to within 11 feet of the pin. As the crowd roared, he calmly converted the putt, a moment he later described as “a dream come true.” The win marked a career milestone for Fox, who had never finished higher than 16th in a major prior to this week. “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,” he said, holding the Claret Jug.

The victory also underscored Fox’s underdog story. Ranked 56th in the world, he entered the tournament with 125-1 odds and had never won on the PGA Tour. Yet his performance at Birkdale, where he overcame a 7-stroke deficit and navigated a field of top-ranked players, proved his mettle. The win earned him a place among the sport’s elite and cemented his status as a rising star.

As the dust settled, the golfing world celebrated a historic win. Fox’s triumph, marked by grit, precision, and a clutch final hole, will be remembered as one of the most dramatic in The Open’s storied history. For Young, it was heartbreak, but for Fox, it was the realization of a lifelong dream. “It’s crazy. I don’t really know what to think,” Fox said, still processing the moment. “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.”