Ryan Fox of New Zealand survived a wild ride along the back nine of Royal Birkdale and delivered the biggest putt of his life on Sunday, making a 12-foot birdie on the final hole to win the British Open for his first major title.

Five players had a share of the lead at some point on Sunday.

Cameron Young was atop the leaderboard for two hours without hitting a shot because he finished his 64 more than two hours earlier.

Fox never lost hope, even after a pair of bogeys on the back, and the 39-year-old son of an All Blacks rugby player delivered the goods when it counted.

He birdied the 16th to tie Young for the lead, and then made birdie on the toughest hole to become the third Kiwi to win a major.

Fox closed with a 2-under 68 and thrust both of those powerful arms into the air. He was on the phone with his family moments later and heard saying, “You asked me to bring a trophy home, and I am, aren’t I?”

His name will go on the base of that shiny claret jug, joining Bob Charles of New Zealand from 1963.

His sterling moment brought more disappointment for Young.

The American also finished one shot behind in the British Open at St. Andrews four years ago, and he had a Sunday lead on the front nine at the Masters until Rory McIlroy overtook him.

Sam Burns, the 54-hole leader who was never planning to be at the Open until his wife gave birth to their daughter earlier than expected, lost a two-shot lead and didn't make birdie over the last 12 holes to finish two shots behind.

Fox won for the 10th time worldwide, his biggest title before Sunday coming at the BMW PGA Championship in 2023.

He is the oldest first-time major champion since Henrik Stenson was 40 at Royal Troon 10 years ago. (AP)



Edited by Tony Sabine