SOUTHPORT, England — Ryan Fox has emerged not only as a British Open champion but also as a prominent example of fast play in professional golf, a sport often criticized for slow pacing. Fox, 39, demonstrated his trademark speed under immense pressure when he sank a 12-foot birdie putt to secure his first major title at Royal Birkdale. He took just 22 seconds to complete the decisive stroke, reflecting a playing style that relies on quick decision-making to minimize overthinking.
Fox described his approach as straightforward, focusing on a narrow range of club choices and trusting his instincts. “It’s always going to be between one or two clubs into a green, and I just see the shot quickly, pick a shot quickly,” he said, noting that moving swiftly helps prevent “bad stuff” from interfering. His rapid routine drew comparisons to other players known for pace, including Joe Ogilvie, Bill Haas, Dustin Johnson, and Brooks Koepka. Fox cited Italian golfer Renato Paratore as possibly the fastest player on tour, recounting that Paratore once hit his first tee shot while his name was still being announced.
Fox also shared a story about fellow PGA Tour player Scottie Scheffler, who remarked during a round at the WM Phoenix Open that Fox’s speed made it seem like they were playing in a twosome rather than a threesome. Fox said his quick play has been a consistent feature throughout his career and expressed satisfaction with sticking to his routine down the stretch at the British Open.
In other golf news, Notah Begay III will receive the Payne Stewart Award, recognizing character, sportsmanship, and charitable work among PGA Tour members. Begay, the only full-blooded Native American on the tour and a four-time PGA Tour winner, founded the NB3 Foundation, focusing on health and wellness challenges in Native American communities. PGA Tour Chief Executive Brian Rolapp praised Begay’s impactful use of his platform, noting it exemplifies the values embodied by Payne Stewart. The award will be presented on August 25 in Atlanta during the Tour Championship.
Majors also saw standout performances in consistency. Xander Schauffele extended his streak of consecutive cuts made in golf’s four major championships to 19, one ahead of Scheffler’s 18. Both players remained among 14 golfers to make the cut in all four majors this year, a group that includes Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young, Sam Burns, and Justin Thomas. Corey Conners is notable for making all four major cuts in each of the past three years. Conversely, Harry Hall was the only player to miss the cut in all four major events this season.
Fox’s victory marks several milestones. His last name, with just seven letters, is the shortest engraved on the Claret Jug since Ted Ray in 1912. Fox, ranked No. 56 at the time, is the first player outside the top 50 to win the British Open since Darren Clarke in 2011. His win also propelled him to No. 2 in the International team standings for the Presidents Cup, virtually securing his place in the September matches at Medinah, Illinois.
Meanwhile, Adam Scott extended his personal major streak to 101 consecutive events after tying for ninth at the British Open, ensuring an appearance at the 2024 British Open and continuing his lifetime invitation to the Masters.