New Zealander Ryan Fox won his first major title by winning the British Open at Royal Birkdale. At 39 years old, the son of a former All Blacks rugby player, he holed a 12-foot birdie on the final hole for a round of 68 strokes, two under par.
Four players shared the lead during the final day. Cameron Young posted a spectacular round of 64, six under par, and was on top for two hours without hitting a ball. But Fox never gave up hope, even after some bogeys on the back nine.
On the 16th hole, a 10-foot birdie tied him with Young. Then, in the 18th, the most difficult on the field, he sealed the victory. Fox raised his arms and called out to his family. He was heard saying:
“I was asked to bring home a trophy, and I’m doing it, right?”
His name joins that of Bob Charles, the only New Zealander who had won this major, in 1963.
Young was once again one shot away from the title, as happened in St. Andrews four years ago. Sam Burns, who led after 54 holes and barely planned to play because his wife gave birth early, did not birdie the last 12 holes and finished within two shots.
Scottie Scheffler, defending champion, shot 67 and tied for fourth place with Tommy Fleetwood, who closed with birdie-birdie to thrill the home crowd. Bryson DeChambeau was out of the fight after a triple bogey on the 11th hole; He signed 72 and finished in 14th place.
Fox finished with a 10-under 270. He is the oldest debuting champion since Henrik Stenson ten years ago.
“I’m not entirely sure how I made that putt on 18. It’s a dream come true,” Fox declared upon receiving the jug of claret.
Si Woo Kim led early on the back nine, but made bogeys at 11 and 12, and a 40 in that half for a 72. Fox, two strokes behind Young after missing a putt at 11, responded with birdies at 13 and 14 to tie. A bogey on 15 complicated it, but his birdie on 16 and the final putt defined the story.
