Ryan Fox Claims 2026 Open Victory as Favorites Falter
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The New Zealander secured the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale after a series of collapses from the tournament's heavyweights.
Ryan Fox captured the 2026 Open championship at Royal Birkdale, securing victory after several top contenders struggled under pressure during the final round, according to reporting from The Guardian.
Fox entered the 18th tee tied with the United States' Cameron Young at nine under par. While Young had finished his round over two hours earlier, Fox clinched the title by driving 330 yards and holing a birdie three on the final hole. Young, who scrambled for a bogey five after his six-iron shot rebounded from a bunker into thick grass, finished one shot behind Fox.
The tournament saw multiple leaders struggle. Sam Burns, the 54-hole leader, reached 11 under before regressing to minus eight at the turn. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler missed a chance to become the first man since 2008's Padraig Harrington to win back-to-back Opens; despite a late surge, Scheffler missed the green and took three shots from there on the final hole to finish tied for fourth at minus seven with Tommy Fleetwood.
Other notable contenders suffered late setbacks. Kim Si-woo, who held the lead after the 6th hole, finished tied for sixth with Lucas Herbert and Casey Jarvis. Bryson DeChambeau tied for 14th following a triple-bogey seven on the 11th, while Rory McIlroy finished with a one-under total.
Fox, the son of a New Zealand rugby legend and grandson of a former cricket captain, overcame his own struggles on the par-three 15th to secure the win, which The Guardian describes as a victory earned by a bold champion while the heavyweights wilted.