New Zealand's Ryan Fox birdies to win 2026 British Open
· Yahoo Sports
July 19 (UPI) -- New Zealander Ryan Fox holed a 12-foot, walk-off birdie putt on No. 18 to win the 2026 British Open on Sunday, clinching his first major title.
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Fox, who failed to finish better than 16th over the first 28 major tournament appearances, fired a 2-under 68 final round to finish at 10-under at Royal Birkdale.
He edged second-place American Cameron Young by a single stroke in Southport, England.
"I spoke to my kids last night and they said 'bring back a trophy,'" Fox said on the NBC broadcast. "I think this is a pretty cool one to bring back for them."
Sam Burns placed third at 3-under for the tournament. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion, tied Tommy Fleetwood for fourth at 7-under.
New Zealand's Ryan Fox lines up a putt on the green on No. 14 at the 154th British Open on Sunday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI"Just an unbelievable week," Fox said. "The golf course was fantastic. The English weather was fantastic. ... The support was amazing.
"Yeah, this is pretty cool."
New Zealand's Ryan Fox hits a drive on No. 14 at the 154th British Open on Sunday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPIFox, who was 2-over through his first 18 holes of the tournament, recovered with a 2-under 68 on Friday to steer into contention. Fox made his biggest push with a third-round 8-under to reach second place. He entered Sunday two strokes behind Burns.
Fox was even par through his first nine holes. He made a bogey on No. 11, but responded with birdies on Nos. 13 and 14. Fox dropped another stroke with a bogey on No. 15. He followed with a birdie on No. 16. He hit his final drive 330 yards.
New Zealand's Ryan Fox celebrates victory at the 154th British Open on Sunday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPIFox followed with a 172-yard shot into the green. He stepped up for his final putt tied with Young. Fox finished the tournament with the biggest putt of his career, blading the ball on a left-to-right line before it dropped in for a walk-off victory.
He cashed in for $3.2 million, in addition to hoisting the Claret Jug, for his efforts. Young took home $1.8 million for his runner-up finish.
New Zealand's Ryan Fox hits out of the bunker on hole No. 15 at the 154th British Open on Sunday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI