Opening Golf to the World
The Open
Ryan Fox claims Claret Jug with spectacular finish at The 154th Open
19 Jul 26
4 mins
Ryan Fox is Champion Golfer of the Year after a stunning victory at The 154th Open.
The 39-year-old birdied the 18th hole to claim the Claret Jug in dramatic fashion at Royal Birkdale. He ends the week at 10-under-par, one clear of closest challenger Cameron Young, after four birdies in the final six holes. Fox is the second player from New Zealand to lift the Claret Jug, following Bob Charles' success at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1963. Young shot an excellent round of 64 to leap into contention after starting the final round seven shots off the lead. Sam Burns, who led after 54 holes, finished third on eight-under-par, while Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood shared fourth place on seven-under-par.
Ryan Fox managed a birdie on 18 to win The Open.
“It's something you dream of,” Fox said. “I used to get up in the middle of the night to watch this tournament back home.
"To be the Champion Golfer of the Year, it's unbelievable, surreal, crazy. I don't have enough words in my vocabulary to explain it.”
Reflecting on a memorable closing birdie to claim victory on Royal Birkdale's iconic 18th hole, he added: “It’s unbelievable, to be honest.
“My nerves were all over the place, I’m not sure how I hit that putt on 18.
“It’s a dream come true. It’s the first time I’ve seen this trophy up close, it’s pretty amazing."
The New Zealander's victory was especially extraordinary given where he stood at the halfway stage.
Rounds of 72 and 68 left him level par and two shots inside the cut line, however a record-equalling 62 - the joint lowest total ever recorded at The Open - on Saturday propelled him into contention.
Sunday was far from straight-forward either, with Fox one-over-par for the day through 12 holes. However birdies at the 13th and 14th gave him momentum, before another at the 16th pulled him back alongside the lead - setting up a remarkable finish on 18 that will live long in the memory.
Read more on TheOpen.com.