Photo Credit: NZ Herald
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Ryan Fox completed the biggest victory of his career Sunday by winning the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. The New Zealander claimed the Claret Jug after a thrilling final round. He finished one stroke ahead of Cameron Young and earned his first major championship at age 39.
Fox entered the day tied for the lead with Sam Burns after firing a brilliant 62 on Saturday. That round matched the lowest score ever recorded in a men’s major championship. However, Sunday tested every part of his game as changing momentum kept the leaderboard crowded throughout the afternoon.
Early in the final round, Burns looked ready to pull away. He opened with a birdie and briefly reached 11 under par. Nevertheless, his advantage disappeared quickly after consecutive bogeys on the fourth and fifth holes. Those mistakes opened the door for several challengers, including Fox, Cameron Young, Si Woo Kim, Tommy Fleetwood, and Scottie Scheffler.
Meanwhile, Cameron Young produced one of the best rounds of the day. He birdied his first three holes and continued climbing the leaderboard with aggressive play. Young eventually posted a 6-under 64 to finish at 9 under overall. Although he stumbled with a closing bogey on the 18th, his score gave him the clubhouse lead. Then he waited nearly two hours to see whether anyone could catch him.
At the same time, Si Woo Kim briefly grabbed the tournament lead after back-to-back birdies. However, his momentum faded during the back nine. Consecutive bogeys dropped him out of first place, and he eventually finished tied for sixth at 8 under alongside Lucas Herbert and Casey Jarvis.
Fox also faced several tense moments during the closing stretch. Three bogeys threatened to derail his championship hopes. Even so, he stayed patient and responded with timely birdies when he needed them most. His steady approach kept him within striking distance while others made costly mistakes.
Then came the decisive finish. Fox birdied two of his final three holes, including the closing 18th. His outstanding approach shot on the final hole left him with an excellent birdie opportunity. Without hesitation, he stepped up and rolled the winning putt into the center of the cup. The birdie moved him to 10 under par and secured a one-shot victory over Young.
The victory marked several important milestones. Fox became just the third men’s major champion from New Zealand. Michael Campbell previously won the 2005 U.S. Open, while Bob Charles captured The Open Championship in 1963. Fox also became only the second golfer to shoot a 62 during a major championship and later win that same tournament. Xander Schauffele accomplished the feat at the 2024 PGA Championship.
Burns finished alone in third place at 8 under. His week remained impressive despite the disappointing final round. The American nearly skipped the tournament following the early birth of his second daughter. Instead, he made the trip to England and nearly claimed his first major championship.
Scottie Scheffler also mounted a late charge. He birdied the 16th and overcame trouble on the par-5 17th after receiving relief from a temporary structure. That fortunate break helped him save birdie and move within one shot of the lead. However, a bogey on the difficult 18th hole ended his comeback. Scheffler finished tied for fourth at 7 under alongside hometown favorite Tommy Fleetwood.
Fleetwood gave English fans hope throughout much of the afternoon. An incredible 80-foot birdie putt sparked his early charge, and the galleries roared with every shot. Unfortunately, three straight bogeys during the middle of the round ended his title hopes. Still, he finished with a birdie on the 18th for a closing ovation and a share of fourth place.
Bryson DeChambeau experienced another frustrating day. After entering the weekend following a controversial two-shot penalty, he struggled to recover. A triple bogey on the 11th hole dropped him down the leaderboard before he settled for a tie for 14th at 4 under.
The championship also highlighted Fox’s efficient style of play. He rarely delayed over shots and maintained a brisk pace throughout the week. That approach stood out during a season filled with discussions about slow play on professional tours. The emotional celebration reflected how much the victory meant. Fox immediately called his wife, Anneke, and their two daughters before speaking with his father. Those family moments capped an unforgettable afternoon for the new Champion Golfer of the Year.
The victory also delivered a life-changing payday. Fox earned $3.2 million from the tournament’s $17.75 million purse. Runner-up Cameron Young collected $1.842 million after another strong Open Championship showing. Burns received $1.181 million for his third-place finish. Scheffler and Fleetwood each earned $827,500 after tying for fourth. Herbert, Jarvis, and Si Woo Kim each took home $550,883 for their tie for sixth. Bryson DeChambeau earned $234,325 after finishing tied for 14th.
Ultimately, Royal Birkdale produced a memorable finish to the final men’s major of 2026. Several contenders challenged for the Claret Jug throughout the afternoon. However, Ryan Fox delivered the biggest shots when the pressure peaked. His fearless finish, historic performance, and first major championship ensured his place among golf’s newest major winners.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker serves as the Director of Operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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