SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Ryan Fox of New Zealand survived a wild ride along the back nine of Royal Birkdale and delivered the biggest putt of his life Sunday, making a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win the British Open for his first major title.
Four players had a share of the lead at some point Sunday.
Cameron Young was atop the leaderboard for two hours without hitting a shot because he finished his astonishing 6-under 64 when the leaders were on the front nine.
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.
His name will go on the base of that shiny claret jug, joining Bob Charles of New Zealand from 1963.
Fox won for the 10th time worldwide, his biggest title before Sunday coming at the BMW PGA Championship in 2023.
Fox finished at....
