Ryan Fox Stuns Royal Birkdale With Clutch 18th Hole Birdie to Win The Open

Ryan Fox Stuns Royal Birkdale With Clutch 18th Hole Birdie to Win The Open In a week dominated by rules controversies and historic low scoring, it was 39-year-old New Zealander Ryan Fox who emerged from the chaos to claim the Claret Jug, sinking an 11.5-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win the 154th Open Championship. Fox, who had never finished higher than T16 in a major before this week, carded a final-round 68 to finish at 10-under par, edging out Cameron Young by a single stroke in a dramatic Sunday finish at Royal Birkdale. Surviving the Shootout The tournament turned into a birdie-fest early in the weekend, with three different players—including Fox and 54-hole leader Sam Burns—shooting 62s to tie the major championship scoring record. But Sunday required a different kind of nerve. Burns entered the final round with a two-shot lead but crumbled early with three straight bogeys on the front nine. That opened the door for Young, who charged from seven shots back to post a 9-under clubhouse lead after a brilliant 64. Young's only mistake was a costly bogey on the brutal 18th hole—a mistake that ultimately decided the championship. Knowing he needed a birdie on the 18th to avoid a playoff, Fox stepped up and delivered. The 18th hole had yielded only four birdies all day and just 27 all week, but Fox piped his drive down the middle and threw a dart to 11.5 feet before draining the putt of his life. The SBA Takeaway Fox's victory is a classic reminder of the value found in the mid-tier of major championship betting boards. While the media focus was heavily tilted toward Bryson DeChambeau's penalty drama and the struggles of the favorites, Fox quietly positioned himself with a Saturday 62 and executed flawlessly under maximum pressure. For bettors, Royal Birkdale proved that when conditions allow for historic low scores, the live betting markets become incredibly volatile, rewarding those who can identify the players making a quiet charge from the pack. --- Related reading: - Sam Burns Chases First Major at Royal Birkdale After Record-Tying 62 - Bryson DeChambeau Hit With 2-Shot Penalty as Open Championship Chaos Ensues - 2026 Open Championship Betting Preview: Royal Birkdale Awaits