Ryan Fox, who learnt the professional game playing the Australasian Tour, has birdied the 72nd hole to become New Zealand’s fourth major champion and second winner of The Open Championship.
The 39-year-old Kiwi made four birdies over the closing six holes to edge out American Cameron Young in joining Bob Charles as only the second New Zealander to be crowned the year’s ‘Champion Golfer’ and to have his name etched on the Claret Jug.
The son of legendary All Black rugby fly half Grant, Fox now stands beside Charles, Michael Campbell and Lydia Ko as a winner of one of golf’s major championship titles.
After a record-equalling 62 in Saturday’s third round, Fox entered the final day two strokes adrift of Sam Burns, with Aussie Lucas Herbert, the 36-hole leader one shot further back.
While Herbert battled on gamely before finishing tied for sixth, Fox would shoot 68 on Sunday for a 10-under par total, one better than Young and two ahead of Burns.
Adam Scott, in his 101st consecutive major championship appearance, shot a last round 66, to be five-under for the tournament and in a tie for ninth.
Of the other Australians, Cameron John, playing in his first major championship, was two-under and tied 28th, with Min Woo Lee tied 59th at two-over par.
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