Ryan Fox appeared visibly moved as he settled onto a sofa inside the players' lounge at Royal Birkdale, having just sunk an 11‑foot putt on the 18th hole – the toughest test of the week – to secure a birdie and clinch The Open championship. Describing the moment as more than just remarkable, the New Zealand native’s emotional reaction captured the attention of fans worldwide. Back in his homeland, New Zealanders stayed up late, eyes glued to their screens as they watched Fox, the son of one of the country's legendary All Blacks and the grandson of a former New Zealand cricket captain, become only the second Kiwi ever to lift the iconic Claret Jug.
At 39, Fox is widely praised for his humility and low‑key demeanor on the PGA Tour, traits that shone through even as his entire body trembled from the enormity of the shot. His efficiency on the green was equally impressive: it took just 22 seconds for Fox to execute the winning putt after his playing partner, Sam Burns, had finished his round at Royal Birkdale.
The brevity of the moment underscored Fox’s disciplined, no‑nonsense pace of play – a hallmark of his career. The celebration that followed was deeply personal. In the backstage area, Fox video‑called his wife, Anneke, his daughters, Isobel and Margot, and his father, Grant, wiping away tears as he shared the triumph. The scene was a vivid reminder that his victory was as much a family celebration as a professional milestone.
When asked what he was feeling, Fox admitted, "I don't really know what to think at the moment. I spoke to my kids last night and they told me to bring back a trophy.
I think this is a pretty cool one to bring back for them!" He reflected on his childhood habit of staying up late to watch the tournament from home, saying, "Just to be able to play in it and now to be the Champion Golfer of the Year, it's unbelievable." Born in Tokoroa, Waikato, on New Zealand's North Island, Fox grew up surrounded by sport. His grandfather, Merv Wallace, was a celebrated cricketer who played 13 Tests for New Zealand, captaining the side twice and amassing 439 runs.
His father, Grant Fox, is a World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee, renowned as one of the finest goal‑kickers in rugby history. Grant earned 46 caps for the All Blacks, scored 645 points, helped New Zealand win the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, and was instrumental in the 1993 series victory over the British and Irish Lions. Ryan often remarks on his family's rich sporting legacy, noting that while he was proud of his heritage, there was no pressure to follow the exact same path.
"I was lucky enough to carve my own route, with support from both my grandfather and my parents throughout," he said. "I don't know if this tops their achievements, but it's certainly right up there. There's no pressure on my kids now!" After completing secondary school, Fox chose to focus on golf, reducing his handicap to two by age 16.
He briefly enrolled at the University of Auckland, initially studying law before switching to psychology, but his passion for the sport proved decisive. Turning professional in 2012 at 25, he quickly made his mark on the PGA Tour of Australasia, capturing three victories there.
Fox honed his competitive edge on the Hotel Planner Tour before earning his DP World Tour card in 2016. He claimed his first DP World Tour win at the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth in 2019, and later secured temporary PGA Tour membership in 2023. To date, his resume includes five DP World Tour triumphs – notably the BMW PGA Championship in 2023 and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2022 – as well as a PGA Tour win at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic and a victory at the RBC Canadian Open.
Despite his growing list of titles, Fox never imagined he would capture a major. "If you had told me yesterday that I would win a major, I would have jumped at the chance," he recalled after his Open victory.
"You dream of being a major champion, and now it's real." In 2022, Fox dedicated his Alfred Dunhill Links Championship win to his late friend, Australian spin‑bowling legend Shane Warne, who had passed away earlier that year. The two had partnered in the team component of the event on several occasions, and Fox said Warne's presence felt with him throughout the competition.
"The only person I can really think of at the moment is Warney," he said. "It means a lot to win this event.
We were great mates, and it's a shame he's not here. I wanted to do something special for him and I'm proud I could." Fox’s Open triumph placed him among an elite group of New Zealand major champions.
Sir Bob Charles won The Open in 1963, Michael Campbell captured the U.S. Open in 2005, and Lydia Ko has secured three major titles, most recently the 2024 Women’s Open. "To be able to join them is amazing," Fox reflected. "I never thought 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.
Nick Dastey, general manager of the PGA Tour of Australasia, highlighted Fox’s consistent generosity to the sport in both Australia and New Zealand, saying, "The greatest thing about Ryan is he hasn't changed from the moment he turned professional to now. He's a fantastic human being, the kind of person we’d want as a model for any professional golfer." Looking ahead, Fox’s next challenge arrives at the 3M Open in Minnesota, set to begin Thursday at TPC Twin Cities. The event will be featured on Sky Sports+ before moving to Sky Sports Golf later in the evening, forming part of a triple‑header that also includes the ISPS Handa Senior Open and the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open. The women's major season will conclude with the AIG Women’s Open from July 30 to August 2, also broadcast on Sky Sports Golf.
For golf enthusiasts seeking to play the sport themselves, Sky Sports offers streaming options without a contract, and a searchable database of over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland provides easy access to tee times.