Why Ryan Fox will lose nearly half of his record $3.2M Open Championship payday
154th Open Golf Championships - Round 4 epaselect Ryan Fox of New Zealand kisses the Claret Jug after winning British Open Golf Championships at Royal Birkdale in Southport, Britain, 19 July 2026. SOUTHPORT UNITED KINGDOM PUBLICATIONxINxGERxAUTxINDxONLY Copyright: xADAMxVAUGHANx
154th Open Golf Championships - Round 4 epaselect Ryan Fox of New Zealand kisses the Claret Jug after winning British Open Golf Championships at Royal Birkdale in Southport, Britain, 19 July 2026. SOUTHPORT UNITED KINGDOM PUBLICATIONxINxGERxAUTxINDxONLY Copyright: xADAMxVAUGHANx
Ryan Fox grabbed his biggest payout at the 154th Open. However, the Champion Golfer of the Year is set to lose half of it.
The 154th Open was held at Royal Birkdale, and thus, Fox’s winnings will be subject to Withdrawal Tax. His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will deduct a heavy chunk of his prize check.
Fox secured $3.2M from the Open Championship, and most of it falls under the highest possible tax bracket. The progressive system is calculated in British pounds, and the New Zealander’s payout is roughly £2.4 million in that case.
RECORD DATE NOT STATED 18th July 2026 Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, Merseyside, England The Open Championship Round Three Ryan Fox NZ reacts after completing his round of 62 DavidxBlunsden
RECORD DATE NOT STATED 18th July 2026 Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, Merseyside, England The Open Championship Round Three Ryan Fox NZ reacts after completing his round of 62 DavidxBlunsden
The first £12,570 will be exempt from taxation, as per Global Law Experts. However, the next £37,700 will be taxed at 20%, amounting to £7,539.
Thereafter, the next £74,870 will be taxed at 40%, deducting a further £29,947.
The remaining £2,274,860 falls under the highest tax bracket. At 45%, over a million (£1,023,687) will be taken from the Claret Jug winner.
As a result, a total of $1.44 million from the $3.2 million will not be going into Fox’s pocket. $1.76 million remains for the 39-year-old to take back home.
As per reports, 10% of the $1.76 million will belong to his caddie, Dean Smith.
Before travel expenses, it shall be a taxed payout of under $1.6 million for the Champion Golfer of the Year.
Golfers qualify for the Withholding tax, and the UK’s strict “Jock Tax" policy on non-resident sportspeople does not allow the athletes to defer these taxes to their home countries.
The R&A will deduct the tax even before Fox gets his hands on his biggest payout.
How did Ryan Fox secure his biggest payout?
On Sunday, Fox dramatically clinched his first major title. Cameron Young was almost there, but Fox made the final charge and secured the Claret Jug.
“Everything, to be honest. I mean, you do dream of this moment. I don't know whether I ever thought it was going to become a reality. Now it is, and to have my name etched in the history of the game is pretty awesome. I think it's pretty awesome for New Zealand as well. It's going to be big down there,” said Fox in an interview, accessed by ASAP Sports.
Finishing at 10-under, Fox secured the Open by a stroke over Young. The victory came on the back of a record-matching championship score of 62 in the third round.
Fox also became New Zealand’s second golfer to win the Open Championship after Sir Bob Charles in 1963.
What are your thoughts on the UK’s Withdrawal Tax? Share them in the comments.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason