The New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox won his very first Major, the 2026 Open Championship on Sunday, July 19. However, despite becoming just the third player to hit an 8-under 62 in the tournament, he revealed one aspect that was holding him back.

Fox started slowly at the Southport course. The 39-year-old pointed out that his putting needed improvement as the major went on. 

“I felt like I played really good on Thursday and you know I just putted like a donkey. To be honest, I was awful on the greens on Thursday, and then I had a really good patch through the middle of the round on Friday and felt like I was playing really good,” said Fox on the Pat McAfee Show.

Fox carded a 2-over 72 on Thursday but got into his groove on Friday as he registered a 68. On the turn, he managed four birdies in a row, and that gave him the perfect setup for Saturday.

Moving Day was the turning point for Fox. He matched the championship record score of 62, just after Lucas Herbert in round 2, and Sam Burns in that same round.

But according to him, 61 was in touching distance.

“I didn't quite think I'd shoot 62, getting to play with Xander as well. It had everything where I wanted to, and I didn't hit a very good putt to 61 here. But yeah, I was probably a bit nervous over that putt,” he added on the Pat McAfee show.

Ryan Fox captured the 2026 Open Championship at 10-under 270, edging Cameron Young by one shot after a dramatic final round. Having tied the men's major scoring record with a third-round 62,

Fox stayed patient before birdieing the 18th to finish at 10-under, clinching his maiden major and becoming New Zealand's first Open champion since Bob Charles in 1963. Interestingly, Fox called golf a funny game.

The final hole decided Ryan Fox's fate in the Open Championship 2026

Although the pressure of scoring a record-breaking 61 got to Fox, his nerves remained cool on Sunday as he charged down his maiden major title.

“I'm not sure how mentally I managed it on Sunday like I look back on it now and it feels really scary and intimidating, but being in the actual position, I felt in control. I felt like my game was good and like I hold everything down the stretch,” said Fox on the same show.

Cameron Young stood at the top of the leaderboard at 9-under for over two hours. Fox tied with him with a birdie at the 16th and then one-upped him with another at the final hole.

“Like golf’s a funny game. Like with all the nerves, putting is almost the hardest thing, and I just felt really comfortable at that point,” he added.

The 12-foot birdie on the final hole was a testament to his mental fortitude as he came out on top in front of a record Open crowd. He joined Sir Bob Charles, who won the title in 1963, as only the second New Zealander to lift the Claret Jug.

What are your thoughts on Ryan Fox’s putting at the 154th Open? Share them in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Kalp Thaker