Bryan Fox secured his first major championship victory at the Open Championship yesterday, held at Royal Birkdale in northwest England, marking a remarkable milestone in his unconventional golfing career. At 39 years old, Fox’s triumph stands out not only for the title itself but for the dramatic comeback he staged during the final rounds.
Entering the weekend eight shots behind the leaders and tied for 52nd place at the tournament’s halfway point, Fox mounted the greatest 36-hole comeback by position in major championship history. His final 36 holes totaled 130 strokes, a mark that tied the record for the lowest final two rounds in a major, previously set by Ian Baker-Finch. This victory propels Fox into an elite group of New Zealand golfers who have won major titles, joining Sir Bob Charles, Michael Campbell, and Dame Lydia Ko.
Fox’s path to the highest level of professional golf has been notably different from his peers. Unlike many top players who specialize early, Fox only committed seriously to golf in his late teens and turned professional well into adulthood. He was a rookie on the DP World Tour at age 30 and joined the PGA Tour at 37. Reflecting on his career trajectory, Fox acknowledged that while his timeline differs from the current trend of early specialization, he aims to continue improving incrementally.
The journey has included moments of significant struggle. In 2013, Fox considered quitting the sport after a difficult season on the Australian Tour, where poor results nearly cost him his playing card. At the Australian Masters that year, his father, former All Black Grant Fox, caddied for him and encouraged him to focus on enjoying the game, leading to a better performance that week and a turnaround in his career the following year.
Fox’s recent achievements laid the foundation for this major breakthrough. In 2022, he won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, a prestigious DP World Tour event. He continued his success by capturing the 2023 BMW PGA Championship, widely regarded as one of the DP World Tour's most significant tournaments, which attracts many top PGA Tour players. Fox extended his winning form to the PGA Tour in 2025 with two victories, including the RBC Canadian Open, won in a playoff against American Sam Burns.
The rivalry and camaraderie between Fox and Burns were on display again at Royal Birkdale, where they led the field together heading into the final round. Fox’s third round included an eight-under-par 62, tying the record for the lowest score in a single round of a major. This performance propelled him into contention behind Burns and Cameron Young, who led at nine under par.
The final round culminated dramatically on the 18th hole, where Fox needed a birdie to claim the title outright. Facing one of the course’s most challenging holes, Fox demonstrated composure and skill to seize victory, a testament to his resilience and growth as a player.