New Zealand’s Ryan Fox won the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 19, 2026, securing his first major championship title of his career with a clutch birdie on the 72nd hole. Fox finished at 10-under 270, one stroke ahead of Cameron Young, following a record-tying 62 during Saturday’s third round.
A Dramatic Finish at the 18th Hole
Entering the final round at Royal Birkdale, Ryan Fox sat in a position to contend, but the tournament came down to a high-pressure sequence on the closing hole. Needing a birdie on the 18th to avoid a playoff against clubhouse leader Cameron Young, Fox struck an approach from 175 yards that landed 11½ feet from the cup.
“I hit two shots exactly how I wanted to hit them. I didn’t feel anything for the putt; everything was shaking that much. I was just happy to hit it somewhat near the hole, and to see it go in was incredible.”
The 18th hole proved the hardest at Royal Birkdale this week, playing 0.0346 strokes over par for the tournament and yielding only 27 birdies all week. Fox’s success was built on a late-round surge, as he birdied four of the final six holes, including the decisive 18th. His victory earned him the Claret Jug and a winner’s share of $3.2M, while Young finished second at 9-under, earning $1.8M.
The Road to Contention and a Travel Coincidence
Fox’s path to victory was unconventional. According to Wsj, he entered the weekend ranked 56th in the world and as an “afterthought” before shooting an 8-under 62 on Saturday. That performance tied the lowest round ever in a major championship.
The drama continued even after the trophy was awarded. In a bizarre turn of events at Manchester Airport the following morning, Fox found himself seated directly behind the man he had just defeated, Cameron Young.
Controversy and Commentary Surrounding Bryson DeChambeau
While Fox celebrated his victory, the tournament was also marked by a separate controversy involving LIV player Bryson DeChambeau. During Friday’s second round, officials penalized DeChambeau two shots for a breach of Rule 8.1, regarding his footwork in long grass near the fifth hole.
The incident sparked debate among players. While Scottie Scheffler publicly defended DeChambeau, stating he is definitely not a cheater
—a sentiment reported by the BBC—the R&A deemed the rules violation clear-cut
. The situation was further complicated by reports that DeChambeau threatened to get US President Donald Trump involved during his conversation with officials. R&A chief executive Mark Darbon confirmed, however, that no such contact occurred.
PGA Tour Sentiment and Future Outlook
| Player | Score | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Fox | -10 | $3.2M |
| Cameron Young | -9 | $1.8M |
| Sam Burns | -8 | $1.2M |
| Scottie Scheffler | -7 | $828K |
| Tommy Fleetwood | -7 | $828K |
With the 154th Open Championship concluded, the professional circuit moves toward upcoming events, including LIV’s event at the JCB Club in Staffordshire. For now, the spotlight remains on Fox, who managed the pressure of a major championship finish to secure his first major championship title of his career.
Worth a look
