Ryan Fox birdies the final hole to win the British Open for his first major
Monday, 20 July 2026
In the biggest positional comeback in major history, Ryan Fox has pulled off a miracle at Royal Birkdale's 18th hole to win the British Open for his first major title.
Fox, the son of All Black great Grant, was in a tie for 52nd after two rounds and had more right to be worrying about the cut than lifting cups or trophies. Nobody has ever come from that far back to win a major, until today. As such, bookmakers had Fox a $501 outsider after round 2. What a difference 48 hours makes.
A scarcely believable approach shot on the 18th, a hole that had been breaking dreams rather than making them all week, put the ball just three and a half metres from the pin and Fox came up clutch to clinch a one shot win with the most significant putt of his life.
The 18th played incredibly hard all week for the world’s best golfers with Cameron Young making a heart breaking bogey to allow Fox his chance.
Aftewards Fox said: “I hit two perfect shots. I'm not sure how I hit the putt. As I said, my hands were all over the place. I was just trying to get it towards the hole somewhere. It's surreal that it went in.”
Fox was tied with Cameron Young, who finished his round of 64 more than two hours earlier, coming to the toughest hole on the course that had yielded only four birdies.
He becomes just the fourth New Zealander to win a golf major, following on from Sir Bob Charles (1963 British Open), Michael Campbell (2005 US Open) and Dame Lydia Ko (2015 Evian Championship, 2016 ANA Inspiration and 2024 Women’s British Open).
“I’m not quite sure how I hit that putt on 18. Look, it is a dream come true,” Fox said.
“Looking at that trophy now, it’s the first time I’ve seen it up close. So it’s pretty amazing.”
He was on the phone with his family moments later and heard saying, “You asked me to bring a trophy home, and I am, aren’t I?”
Fox, went into the final round in a tie for second, two shots behind Sam Burns, after a course record-equalling eight-under 62 in the third round thrust back into contention.
Five players had a share of the lead at some point during a chaotic final round Sunday (Monday NZT).
Fox never lost hope, even after a pair of bogeys on the back, and the 39-year-old delivered the goods when it counted. He birdied the 16th to tie Young for the lead.
He becomes the oldest first-time major champion since Henrik Stenson (40) at Royal Troon 10 years ago.
He closed with a 2-under 68, doling out more major disappointment for Young. The American also finished one shot behind at St. Andrews two years ago and had a Sunday lead at the Masters until Rory McIlroy overtook him in April.
Burns, the 54-hole leader who was never planning to be at the Open until his wife gave birth to their daughter earlier than expected, lost a two-shot lead and didn't make birdie over the last 12 holes to finish two shots behind.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler somehow managed to stick around until the end, getting two bad bounces that cost him momentum, then getting one big break for a most improbable birdie but failing to birdie the 18th. He closed with a 67 and shared fourth with hometown star Tommy Fleetwood, who fell back early but thrilled the thousands packed along the dunes with a birdie-birdie finish for a 68.
Missing from all drama, remarkably, was Bryson DeChambeau. He lost a golf ball and made triple bogey on the 11th hole and didn't make a birdie until he was well out of contention. That two-shot penalty he received Friday for improving the path of his swing wasn't an issue at the end. DeChambeau shot a 72 and tied for 14th.
– with AP.
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