Royal Birkdale hosts Ryan Fox’s Open Championship victory

By Bilal Ahmed

By Bilal Ahmed — 19 July 2026 — 3 min read

Fox claims Open Championship at Royal Birkdale

Ryan Fox has secured the Open Championship title at Royal Birkdale following a dramatic final round. The New Zealander emerged victorious after a closely contested finish, marking his first major championship win. The final round on the sunny links course saw the lead change multiple times, keeping fans engaged until the very end.

Fox clinched the title with an 11-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, carding a two-under par for the final round. He finished the tournament at 10-under, becoming only the second player from New Zealand to win the prestigious event. His quick play, a characteristic noted throughout his career, was evident in his winning putt, which he struck just 22 seconds after his playing partner, Sam Burns, holed out for par.

The 39-year-old golfer is known for his rapid pace of play. Commentator Ken Brown remarked on the speed of his winning putt, while Andrew Cotter‘s official call highlighted Fox’s efficiency. Even on the 18th fairway, Fox executed a crucial approach shot in under 10 seconds after reaching the ball.

A family legacy and quick play style

Fox’s fast-paced approach to golf stems from his background in various sports. He mentioned that he has always seen things quickly, a trait that carried over from his childhood experiences in cricket and tennis. This natural speed has been a consistent element of his game, even in high-pressure situations like a major championship.

The quick play style is a family tradition, as Fox comes from a lineage of athletes. His grandfather, Merv, played cricket for New Zealand, and his father, Grant, is recognised as one of New Zealand’s top rugby players. This athletic heritage has seemingly contributed to Ryan’s ability to perform at a high level with remarkable speed.

Other players have also noticed Fox’s swiftness. Scottie Scheffler, another major champion, once commented on Fox’s pace during a round, noting that it felt like playing in a two-ball due to how quickly Fox played his shots.

Dramatic final round sees contenders rise and fall

The final round at Royal Birkdale was filled with shifts in momentum for many competitors. Sam Burns, who began the day with a 54-hole lead at ten-under, experienced a shaky start on the front nine, with three bogeys causing him to fall behind Si Woo Kim.

Cameron Young made a strong push throughout the day, entering the final round at three-under and carding six birdies. He shared the lead going into the 18th hole, but a difficult shot from a bunker on the final hole resulted in him losing his share of the lead and finishing level with Kim.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler had a late surge that ultimately did not materialise into a victory. He faced a challenging 17th hole and a bogey on the 18th, settling for a final round of 67. Local favourite Tommy Fleetwood, who had strong support from fans in Southport, struggled on the back nine with three consecutive bogeys, disrupting the momentum he had built earlier with three birdies.

The tournament also featured discussions surrounding Bryson DeChambeau, who started his final round slowly and faced a rules controversy earlier in the week. Rory McIlroy, who finished on one-under par, indicated he would be playing less golf in the future. Other players like Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Thomas also had disappointing final rounds, finishing five-over and three-over respectively, despite initial promise from Thomas.

Ultimately, it was Ryan Fox who navigated the challenges of the final round to secure his first major championship at Royal Birkdale on Sunday afternoon.

Source: sports.yahoo.com