The Open: Ryan Fox savours dramatic Royal Birkdale major win, admitting his hands 'were all over the place'

Ryan Fox admitted it was a “dream come true” as he defied the nerves to clinch a dramatic victory in The Open at Royal Birkdale.

The 39-year-old New Zealander produced a superb finish to the final round to overtake clubhouse leader Cameron Young and snatch a one-shot win.

Fox, who had carded a 62 on Saturday to put himself in contention to claim a maiden major success, looked to be slipping out of it after making his second bogey of the day at the 11th.

Back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th put him back in the hunt and he then did well to escape with only a bogey at the 15th after a nightmare lie in a greenside bunker.

He hit back by birdieing the 16th following a brilliant approach and then, after missing a chance at the 17th, nailed two superb shots down the 18th before boldly draining a 12-foot putt to claim the Claret Jug.

“To play that last hole how I did, I stood on the tee and said to my caddie Dean (Smith), we’re going to try to win this,” said Fox.

“I hit two perfect shots. I’m not sure how I hit the putt. My hands were all over the place. I was just trying to get it towards the hole somewhere. It’s surreal that it went in.

“My focus with the putter all day was just take a really deep breath before I hit it and just try to hit a line, and I did that.

“I don’t know how I managed to keep the putter face square enough for that to go on line, but I’ll take it.

“Champion Golfer of the Year has got a pretty good ring to it. It is a dream come true.

“You do dream of this moment. I don’t know whether I ever thought it was going to become a reality. Now it is, and to have my name etched in the history of the game is pretty awesome. I think it’s pretty awesome for New Zealand as well. It’s going to be big down there.”

Fox is the son of former All Blacks fly-half Grant Fox and the grandson of former New Zealand Test captain Merv Wallace.

“We’ve got a great history in our family,” he said. “I was lucky enough to carve my own path there. I don’t know if this tops their achievements, but it’s certainly right up there.

“I spoke to my kids last night, and they said bring back a trophy. I think this is a pretty cool one to bring back for them.

“I don’t know if my dad would be able to contain himself when I was coming down the stretch. He’s never been one who has been very good if he doesn’t have control over things.

“I think when he was playing and in control of the output, under pressure he was fine. But when he doesn’t have control, I think he’s a nervous wreck. I’m sure he was.”

‘He stayed aggressive’

Sky Sports Golf duo Dame Laura Davies and Andrew Coltart were both full of praise for Fox and the aggressive approach he adopted on the back nine.

Davies said: “He was the most impressive player all day. He stayed aggressive; I don’t think he was scared of losing it. If he lost it because he hit a shot that just didn’t work out he was prepared to stay aggressive and I firmly believe that’s why he did it.

“He hit irons when he had to, but when there was a chance, a sniff of a birdie, the driver was out, full commitment.

“And the way he played 18 I don’t think you could have drawn that up any better. Two of the best shots he will ever hit in his life just to hit that green to give himself a chance.”

Coltart added: “I’ve never seen somebody push through the tape as hard as that right at the end of the tournament to win a major championship.

“At a place like this, too. It was just superb. The 62 on Saturday I think, helped cement his belief in his ability out there.

“While they all struggled with the pressure, he stood tall.”

What’s next?

The next PGA Tour event is the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota, beginning Thursday, with early coverage on Sky Sports+ before switching to Sky Sports Golf at 7pm.

The 3M Open is part of a triple-header of live golf on Sky Sports, with the ISPS Handa Senior Open and ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open also live. The women’s major season then concludes with the AIG Women’s Open from July 30-August 2, also live on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.

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