Ryan Fox appeared visibly moved as he settled onto a sofa in the players' lounge at Royal Birkdale, having just holed an 11‑foot putt on the final hole – the most demanding of the week – to secure a birdie and capture The Open Championship. The scene was nothing short of extraordinary, a moment that will be remembered for years to come. 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. At 39, Fox is widely praised for his humility and low‑key personality on the PGA Tour.
He admitted that his whole body trembled at the magnitude of the shot, yet his calm composure never wavered. His decisive putt was a model of efficient play: it took just 22 seconds from the moment he addressed the ball to the instant it dropped, clinching his first major title while his playing partner Sam Burns was still finishing his round. In the moments that followed, a touching backstage scene unfolded. Fox video‑called his wife Anneke, his daughters Isobel and Margot, and his father Grant, wiping away tears as he celebrated the historic win.
When asked what he was feeling, Fox could only say, "I don’t really know what to think right now. My kids told me to bring the trophy home, and that’s a pretty cool thing to do for them." He added, "I used to stay up late watching this tournament back home.
To actually win it and be called Champion Golfer of the Year is unbelievable." 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 New Zealand batsman who appeared in 13 Test matches, captained twice, and amassed 439 runs at the highest level. His father, Grant Fox, is a Rugby Hall of Famer, renowned as one of the sport’s finest goal kickers.
Grant earned 46 caps for the All Blacks, scored 645 points, helped New Zealand win the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, and played a key role 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 in anyone’s footsteps. I was fortunate to carve my own path, with the support of my dad, granddad, and 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 completing high school, Fox chose golf as his career, having reduced his handicap to two by age 16. He initially enrolled at the University of Auckland to study law, later switching to psychology, but his passion for the game prevailed.
He turned professional in 2012 at 25, quickly adding three victories on the PGA Tour of Australasia to his résumé. Fox honed his skills on the Hotel Planner Tour before earning a DP World Tour card in 2016.
His first DP World Tour triumph came at the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth in 2019. Consistent performances granted him temporary PGA Tour membership in 2023, and he has since accumulated five DP World Tour wins, including the 2023 BMW PGA Championship and the 2022 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He also claimed his first PGA Tour title at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic and later won the RBC Canadian Open.
Despite these successes, a major championship had always seemed out of reach. "If you had told me before I turned pro that I’d win a major, I would have jumped at the chance," Fox reflected.
"I still can’t quite believe it. You dream of being a major champion, and now it’s real." In 2022, Fox dedicated his Alfred Dunhill Links victory to his late friend, Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, who had passed away earlier that year. The two had teamed up in the event’s team competition in Scotland on several occasions, most recently in 2021. "Warney was the only person on my mind when I won," Fox said.
"It felt like he was with me the whole way, and I’m proud to have honored him with that win." Fox’s Open triumph makes him only the fourth New Zealander to capture a major. Sir Bob Charles was the first, winning The Open in 1963 at Royal Lytham & St Annes, followed by Michael Campbell’s 2005 U.S. Open victory, and Lydia Ko’s three major titles, most recently the 2024 Women’s Open. "Joining that company is amazing," Fox said.
"Having my own piece of history feels surreal. I never imagined it was possible, 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, noted that Fox continues to give back to Australian and New Zealand golf and has remained unchanged since turning professional. "He is a fantastic human being and a model for what a professional golfer should be," Dastey told the DP World Tour.
Looking ahead, Fox’s next challenge is the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota, which begins Thursday with early coverage on Sky Sports+ before moving to 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 later in the summer.
Beyond the tournament schedule, Fox’s story is a testament to perseverance, family legacy, and staying true to one’s roots while reaching the pinnacle of sport. His journey from a rugby‑loving boy in Tokoroa to a major‑winning golfer illustrates how dedication, humility, and support from loved ones can combine to produce historic moments on the world stage.