Ryan Fox captured the 154th Open Championship with a final-round score of 68 and a 10-under-par total, securing his first major title. The victory came courtesy of a birdie putt on the 18th hole that proved decisive in his one-stroke triumph over Cameron Young. Fox became the first golfer from New Zealand to win the Open since Bob Charles in 1963.
Describing the emotions surrounding his final putt, Fox noted that his hands had lost all sensation during the critical moment. He explained that throughout the day, his strategy with the putter involved taking a deep breath before each stroke and attempting to hit a specific line. On the final hole, he executed this approach despite physical trembling and uncertainty about his ability to maintain control of the putter face. Fox acknowledged that his hands felt unstable as he struck the winning putt, and he remained somewhat amazed that the ball found the target.
Fox’s round featured an inward nine in 34 strokes, which included two birdies during the final three holes. He stated that his performance throughout most of the round felt solid, and approaching the 18th tee, he expressed confidence to his caddie about his chances. His final two shots on the hole were struck cleanly, though he expressed uncertainty about how he managed to execute the crucial putt successfully given his physical state.
The achievement held particular significance for Fox, who had never recorded a top-10 finish in a major championship previously and had missed the cut at the Open the prior year. He reflected on the historic nature of the victory for both himself and his home country, noting that the win would be meaningful for New Zealand golf and expressing gratitude for the support from fans following the competition from home.