Ryan Fox arrived at Royal Birkdale's 18th tee level with Cameron Young and chose to attack the hardest hole of the week. A fairway drive, precise approach and 12-foot birdie made him Champion Golfer of the Year.
Key points
- Fox birdied the 72nd hole to win by one shot.
- Royal Birkdale's 18th played 161 over par for the week.
- Fox became the second New Zealander to win The Open.
The championship reached one final decision
The Open reported that Fox and Cameron Young were tied at nine under when Fox reached the final tee. Young was preparing for a possible playoff while Fox faced a hole that had played 161 over par for the week.
Fox drove into the fairway, hit his approach to 12 feet and made the birdie putt.
The hardest hole produced the clearest finish
Only four players had birdied the 18th on Sunday before Fox. His decision to take on the hole ended the championship immediately and gave him a one-shot victory.
The result also made Fox the second New Zealander to win The Open and his first top-10 finish in a major.
Boda8 analysis
Analysis: Fox's winning moment was built on commitment rather than recklessness. He chose the aggressive outcome only after placing the drive where the approach could be controlled.
That sequence is why the final birdie will last: pressure narrowed the options, and Fox executed all three shots without compromise.
Sources reviewed
- 01The OpenRyan Fox caps brilliant Open Sunday to lift Claret Jug19 Jul 2026
- 02The OpenRyan Fox's journey from late bloomer to Champion Golfer19 Jul 2026