Ryan Fox Wins The Open Championship

Underdog Story Takes Shape

Ryan Fox, a 39‑year‑old New Zealander, entered Royal Birkdale as a long‑shot outsider, with some bookmakers sitting him at 200‑1. DraftKings gave him 170‑1 and BetMGM priced him at 150‑1, making him a massive underdog for the final major of the men’s golf season. Despite the daunting odds, Fox managed to capture the title with a dramatic birdie on the 72nd hole, clinching his first major victory.

The win marks Fox’s third PGA Tour triumph, adding the Open to his earlier successes at the Myrtle Beach Classic and the RBC Canadian Open in 2025. He also boasts four DP World Tour titles between 2019 and 2023, rounding out a career that had never before included a major championship.

Round‑by‑Round Highlights

Fox fired a 62 in the third round, matching the lowest score ever recorded in a major championship at that time. He followed with a solid 68 on Sunday, finishing the tournament at 10 under par. This total placed him one stroke ahead of Cam Young, the world‑ranked No. 4 golfer.

Fox’s strong finish also pushed his PGA Tour earnings to $12.47 million, the largest single paycheck of his career. The victory delivered a winner’s check of $3.2 million from the Open’s $17.75 million purse—the smallest payout among golf’s four majors.

Family Ties and Global Recognition

Fox’s father, Grant Fox, is a celebrated figure in New Zealand rugby, having starred for the legendary All Blacks. This family connection adds another layer of prestige to Ryan’s breakthrough moment on the global golfing stage.

The win also continues a theme of unexpected winners in 2025, echoing Aaron Rai’s shocking triumph at the PGA Championship, where the Englishman stunned a star‑studded leaderboard.

Record Crowd at Royal Birkdale

Total attendance across practice days and competition rounds reached 306,000, newly setting the Open Championship’s all‑time record. The previous mark of 290,000 was held by the 2022 Open at St Andrews, which is slated to host again in 2027.

Weekly turnout topped 70,000, surpassing the 2017 Birkdale event that drew 235,000 fans—the most for any Open not played at St Andrews. For comparison, the PGA Championship attracted 200,000, the U.S. Open drew 155,000, and the Masters, while not releasing official figures, is estimated to see over 40,000 fans each day.