New Zealand's Ryan Fox wins the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale with a birdie on the 18th
Ryan Fox drained a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England on July 19 to win the Claret Jug at 39, becoming only the third New Zealander to win The Open and claiming his first career major title
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Summary
New Zealand's Ryan Fox won the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England on July 19, holing a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to claim the Claret Jug and his first career major title, per Golf Channel's recap. Fox, 39, beat American Cameron Young to finish and became only the third New Zealander to win The Open, per Golf Channel. Sky Sports broadcast the moment live from Birkdale, one of the most demanding links courses on the Open rota. Sir Bob Charles, 90, who won the 1963 Open as the first New Zealander to win the Claret Jug, told NZ Herald Fox's approach to golf is "refreshing."
The split
US golf broadcasting (Golf Channel, PGA Tour, CNN) covered Fox's win primarily in the context of Cameron Young's runner-up finish and the major-championship narrative of the American field. UK coverage via Sky Sports focused on the venue, Royal Birkdale's storied history, and the drama of the closing hole. New Zealand coverage was its own register: NZ Herald devoted multiple reports to Fox's win, the most resonant being Sir Bob Charles, 90, the only living person who previously won The Open as a New Zealander, weighing in with a first-hand perspective absent from any other outlet.
By the numbers
- 12-foot, length of Fox's birdie putt on the 18th to win
- 39, Fox's age at time of the win, among the older first-time major winners in the modern era
- 3, New Zealanders to win The Open Championship in history
- US$5.5 million, Fox's winner's prize
- 9, times Royal Birkdale has hosted The Open
Why it matters
Fox's win adds a rare major to New Zealand's golf record. At 39, he is among the older first-time major winners in the modern era. The victory at Royal Birkdale, which has produced landmark Opens, raises New Zealand's profile in major championship history.
What to watch
- Official full leaderboard and final score from The R&A
- New Zealand government and NZ Golf reaction
- Fox's world rankings change and schedule for the remainder of the 2026 season
- Whether Young converts his runner-up finish into a future major win