Ryan Fox, a 39-year-old New Zealander, claimed his first major victory at the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, winning one shot by a birdie. The 39-year-old New Zealander produced a superb finish to overtake his teammate Cameron Young and secure a maiden major success.
Final Round as It Happened
The 39-year-old New Zealander produced a superb finish to overtake his teammate Cameron Young and secure a maiden major success. Fox, who had carded a 62 on Saturday to put himself in contention to claim a maiden major success, looked to be slipping out of it after making his second bogey of the day at the 11th.
The 39-year-old New Zealander produced a superb finish to overtake his teammate Cameron Young and secure a maiden major success. Fox, who had carded a 62 on Saturday to put himself in contention to claim a maiden major success, looked to be slipping out of it after making his second bogey of the day at the 11th.
Back-to-Back Birdies and a Dream Come True
Back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th put him back in the hunt and he then did well to escape with only a bogey at the 15th after a nightmare lie in a greenside bunker. He hit back by birdieing the 16th following a brilliant approach and then, after missing a chance at the 17th, nailed two superb shots down the 18th before boldly draining a 12-foot putt to claim the Claret Jug.
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,
Champion Golfer of the Year
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 fly-half Grant Fox and the grandson of former New Zealand Test captain Merv Wallace.
