Ryan Fox shocks golfing world with breakthrough Open victory

“He ranked outside the top 50 in the world, according to Data Golf. That is way below where Rai ranked (No 34) before winning the PGA back in May.

“None of that stopped him from chasing down Cameron Young, the No 3 player in the world. Fox battled through some tough breaks – including a brutal one on the 15th hole when his ball kicked under the back edge of the greenside bunker – and showed some serious stones on the final few holes.”

‘Fox’s iron play was also excellent’

Justin Ray, The Athletic

“The birdie Fox rolled in on the 72nd hole to win by one is forever etched in Open Championship lore, but it certainly wasn’t the only important one he rolled in for the week. For the fourth time in the last five years, the Champion Golfer of the Year led all players that week in strokes gained putting. Sunday, Fox picked up 3.94 strokes on the field on the greens, nearly a full shot more than any other player.

“Fox’s iron play was also excellent, especially on the weekend. His 73.6 greens-in-regulation rate was bettered by only three players who made the cut. Fox hit a whopping 31 approach shots inside 20 feet, tied with Scottie Scheffler for the most of any player in the field.”

‘Now he has his own sporting folklore’

Jamie Corrigan, Daily Telegraph UK

“In his decade and a half as a pro, the 39-year-old has invariably been referred to as ‘son of the legendary fly-half Grant Fox’ but now he has his own sporting folklore. On a frenetic final day in which world No 4 Cameron Young seemed to have set the winning score almost 2½ hours before the final group finished, Fox jnr birdied two of the last three holes before pumping his fists in the air in ferocious celebration.

“To birdie the brutally difficult 18th with all that on the line showed remarkable nerve and application. Dare we say it was akin to a No 10 – perhaps by the name of Grant – converting from the touchline for a match-winning moment.”

‘The biggest putt of his life’

Jonathan Jurejko, BBC

“After a final round full of spills and thrills, Fox knew a birdie on the 18th would be enough to secure his first major title.

“Easier said than done. The long par-four had yielded only four birdies all day, but the courageous Fox did not take a step back as he chased down long-time clubhouse leader Young.

“Fox grabbed the driver out of the bag and launched a crackerjack of a 330-yard tee-shot into the middle of the fairway.

“With 175 yards left, he hit one of the approach shots of his career into the heart of the green.

“Then he calmly stepped up and converted the biggest putt of his life from 11 feet.

“New Zealand’s Ryan Fox hit the iron shot and putt of his life on the 72nd hole Sunday to win the 154th Open Championship for the first major championship title of his career.”

‘Prepared to stay aggressive’

Dame Laura Davies, Sky Sports

“He stayed aggressive, I don’t think he was scared of losing it. If he lost it because he hit a shot that just didn’t work out; he was prepared to stay aggressive and I firmly believe that’s why he did it.

“He hit irons when he had to, but when there was a chance, a sniff of a birdie, the driver was out, full commitment. The way he played 18, I don’t think you could have drawn that up any better. Two of the best shots he will ever hit in his life just to hit that green to give himself a chance.”

‘Fox drained the birdie putt’

Mark Schlabach, ESPN

“Needing a birdie on the 18th hole to avoid a playoff with clubhouse leader Cameron Young, Fox hit his approach shot from 175 yards. As the ball flew in the blue English sky toward the green, Fox yelled, “Be right!”

“It was.

“The ball stopped 11½ feet from the hole. After his playing partner, Sam Burns, putted out for par, Fox drained the birdie putt to win the Claret Jug. He raised both arms into the air after the ball fell into the cup.”

‘Forever immortalised’

Zephyr Melton, Golf.com

“Heading into Royal Birkdale, Fox had never seen much success at the biggest events on golf’s calendar. Entering the week, his best major finish was a T16 at the 2016 Open Championship, and he’d only finished inside the top 25 three other times. But, with one magical week, he’ll now be forever immortalised in golf lore.”

‘A family dynasty’

Ewan Murray, The Guardian

“What a way to enhance a family dynasty. Ryan Fox, son of a New Zealand rugby legend and grandson of one of the country’s cricket captains, is the Open champion. Three generations, three sports, one Claret Jug. Fox displayed the fortitude of Grant, his old man, to snatch victory from Cameron Young on such a dramatic Open Championship Sunday.

“Fox took to the 18th tee level with Young at nine under par. The American had finished more than two hours earlier, his total looking ever-more promising as others took it in turn to wilt under the heat of Royal Birkdale. Fox laughed in the face of adversity. He crashed a drive 330 yards down the fairway, flicked an iron to 11ft and holed out for a birdie three. This will trigger quite the party, including in his homeland. This Open needed something to switch the conversation from Bryson DeChambeau and a rules breach. In Fox, the tournament found a bold and deserving champion.”

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