Ryan Fox appeared visibly moved as he relaxed on a sofa in the players' lounge at Royal Birkdale, having just finished the decisive moment of the tournament. He had drained an 11‑foot putt on the 18th hole—the toughest test of the week—to secure a birdie that clinched The Open championship.
Describing the feat as anything less than extraordinary would be an understatement. Back in New Zealand, supporters stayed up late, glued to their screens as they watched the son of one of the nation’s most celebrated All Blacks and the grandson of a former New Zealand cricket captain become only the second Kiwi to lift the iconic Claret Jug. The 39‑year‑old Fox, known across the PGA Tour for his humility and low‑key demeanor, admitted that his whole body trembled at the magnitude of the shot, yet his composure never wavered.
A model of efficient play, Fox took just 22 seconds to line up and sink the putt that earned him his first major title, doing so moments after his playing partner Sam Burns finished his round. The victory was followed by a touching backstage scene: Fox placed a video call to his wife, Anneke, their daughters Isobel and Margot, and his father, Grant, all of whom were visibly moved, tears streaming down their faces as they celebrated his historic accomplishment. When asked what he was feeling, Fox confessed, "I don’t really know what to think right now.
My kids told me to bring the trophy home, and I think it’s a pretty cool one for them." He added, "I used to stay up late watching this tournament back home. To actually win it and be named Champion Golfer of the Year is beyond belief." Fox was born in Tokoroa, Waikato, on New Zealand’s North Island. Like many in his family, he grew up playing both rugby union and cricket. His grandfather, Merv Wallace, was a legendary batsman who represented New Zealand in 13 Tests, captained the side twice, and amassed 439 runs at the international level.
His father, Grant Fox, is a Rugby Hall of Fame inductee (2014) and one of the sport’s most accurate goal‑kickers. Grant earned 46 caps for the All Blacks, scoring 645 points, helped New Zealand win the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, and was a key figure in the 1993 series victory over the British and Irish Lions. "Our family has a great sporting history," Ryan said on Sunday. "But there was never any pressure on me to follow anyone’s footsteps.
I was fortunate to forge my own path, supported by my dad, my grandfather, and my mum throughout. I don’t know if this tops their achievements, but it’s certainly up there, and now there’s no pressure on my kids either." After finishing high school, Fox chose golf as his professional focus, having reduced his handicap to two by age 16.
Though his parents encouraged him to continue his education, he enrolled at the University of Auckland, initially pursuing a law degree before switching to psychology. Golf, however, remained his true passion.
He turned professional in 2012 at 25, quickly adding three victories on the PGA Tour of Australasia to his résumé. Fox cut his teeth on the Hotel Planner Tour before earning a DP World Tour card in 2016.
His first DP World Tour win came at the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth in 2019, paving the way for a temporary PGA Tour membership in 2023. To date, he has amassed five DP World Tour victories, including the 2023 BMW PGA Championship and the 2022 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, as well as a PGA Tour triumph at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic and a win at the RBC Canadian Open. Despite this impressive tally, a major title had always seemed out of reach. "If someone had told me yesterday that I’d win a major, I would have jumped at the chance," Fox reflected.
"I still can’t fully process it. Winning a major has always been a dream." In 2022, Fox dedicated his Alfred Dunhill Links win to his late friend, Australian spin‑bowling legend Shane Warne, who passed away earlier that year.
The two had teamed up in the event’s team format on several occasions, most recently in 2021, and Fox felt Warne’s presence throughout his 2022 victory. On Sunday, Fox joined an exclusive club of New Zealand golfers who have captured a major championship. Sir Bob Charles was the first, winning The Open in 1963 at Royal Lytham & St Annes; Michael Campbell followed with a U.S.
Open triumph in 2005; and Lydia Ko has added three major titles, most recently the 2024 Women’s Open. "Being part of that lineage is amazing," Fox said. "I never imagined I’d have my own piece of history, but here we are." The golfing community has praised Fox not only for his skill but also for his character. Prior to his Open win, Nick Dastey, general manager of the PGA Tour of Australasia, highlighted Fox’s commitment to giving back to the sport in Australia and New Zealand.
"What stands out about Ryan is that he hasn’t changed since turning pro," Dastey told the DP World Tour. "He remains a fantastic human being, the kind of role model every tour would love to have." Looking ahead, Fox’s next challenge is the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota, set to begin Thursday with early coverage on Sky Sports+ and a later broadcast on Sky Sports Golf. The event is part of a triple‑header of live golf on Sky Sports, alongside the ISPS Handa Senior Open and the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open, with the women's major season concluding at the AIG Women’s Open from July 30 to August 2.
For fans wanting to experience the game firsthand, Sky Sports offers streaming without a contract, and golfers can book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland through the platform’s booking service.