2026-07-20 10:41:03

Ryan Fox’s “hands were all over the place” as he hit the putt to win The Open Championship.

The New Zealand golfer produced a superb birdie on the 18th hole at Royal Birkdale on Sunday (19.07.26) to claim the Claret Jug by a single shot over Cameron Young and was at a loss to explain how he held his nerve to drain the decisive putt.

Fox said: “To play that last hole how I did, I stood on the tee and said to my caddie Dean (Smith), ‘We’re going to try to win this.’

“I hit two perfect shots. I’m not sure how I hit the putt. My hands were all over the place. I was just trying to get it towards the hole somewhere. It’s surreal that it went in.

“I don’t know how I managed to keep the putter face square enough for that to go on line, but I’ll take it.

“Champion Golfer of the Year has got a pretty good ring to it. It is a dream come true.

“You do dream of this moment. I don’t know whether I ever thought it was going to become a reality. Now it is, and to have my name etched in the history of the game is pretty awesome. I think it’s pretty awesome for New Zealand as well. It’s going to be big down there.”

Fox is the son of former All Blacks rugby star Grant Fox and the grandson of former New Zealand cricket captain Merv Wallace and believes that winning the Claret Jug is “right up there” in terms of his family’s sporting accomplishments.

He said: “We’ve got a great history in our family. I was lucky enough to carve my own path there. I don’t know if this tops their achievements, but it’s certainly right up there.

“I spoke to my kids last night, and they said bring back a trophy. I think this is a pretty cool one to bring back for them.

“I don’t know if my dad would be able to contain himself when I was coming down the stretch. He’s never been one who has been very good if he doesn’t have control over things.

“I think when he was playing and in control of the output, under pressure he was fine. But when he doesn’t have control, I think he’s a nervous wreck. I’m sure he was.”

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