Ryan Fox birdies final hole to win British Open by one shot over Cameron Young

Monday, 20 July 2026

Ryan Fox celebrates on the 18th green after winning the British Open with a clutch birdie putt.

Ryan Fox of New Zealand survived a wild ride along the back nine of Royal Birkdale and delivered the biggest putt of his life with a birdie on the final hole to win the British Open for his first major title.

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 pounded his drive down the middle, hit his approach below the hole and thrust both arms when it dropped.

He closed with a two-under 68, shaking off two bogeys on the back nine and 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.

Fox becomes New Zealand’s third winner of a men’s major title after Sir Bob Charles at the British Open in 1963, and Michael Campbell at the 2005 US Open. Dame Lydia Ko won the Women’s British Open in 2024.

Ryan Fox kisses the prized Claret Jug trophy after winning the British Open.

“I spoke to my kids last night and they said ‘bring back a trophy’ and I think this is a pretty cool one to bring back for them,” he said at the trophy presentation.

Fox called his wife Anneke and daughters Margot and Isabel in Florida soon after completing the win, saying: “I don’t know how I hit that last putt, to be honest”.

He farewelled them with: “You’ll see me on TV soon.”

The next call was to his father, Grant, the former All Blacks first five-eighth and 1987 World Cup winner - the year Ryan was born.

“It’s unbelievable, I still don’t know what to think and my nerves were all over the place… it is a dream come true, looking at this trophy now, it’s the first time I’ve seen it up close so it’s pretty amazing,” Fox told the BBC with the trophy in his clutches.

The 39-year-old had never finished top-10 in a major championship, with 16th equal at Royal Portrush in 2019 his previous best.

This was also the biggest 36-hole comeback victory in an Open, after Fox was tied for 52nd at the halfway stage, even par after rounds of 72 and 68. David Duval in 2001 held that record after coming from tied for 35th at halfway.

Fox set up victory was a stunning, record-equalling third round of eight-under 62.

This was his 10th win worldwide, with his previous biggest title coming at the BMW PGA Championship in 2023. He is the oldest first-time major champion since Henrik Stenson was 40 at Royal Troon 10 years ago.

Sam 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.