Ryan Fox just secured his first major championship, winning the Open Championship with a clutch birdie on the 72nd hole at Royal Birkdale. Seriously, this wasn’t just any win; it was the kind of victory that leaves you absolutely stunned, marking a massive moment for the 39-year-old New Zealander.
The Biggest Comeback No One Saw Coming
Fox didn’t just win; he absolutely battled for it. That birdie on the final hole pushed him past Cameron Young for the solo lead, sealing what’s now officially the largest 36-hole comeback victory in men’s major history, according to The Athletic’s Justin Ray. Think about that for a second: the biggest comeback *ever*. What a storyline. He wasn’t even really in contention until he exploded on Saturday, tying a men’s major record with an insane score of 62 in the third round. That round was pure magic, propelling him right into the thick of it. He wrapped up the tournament at a fantastic 10-under 270, a truly incredible performance under immense pressure.
Cashing In Big After the Grind
Bringing home the Claret Jug isn’t the only thing Fox gets to celebrate. That winner’s prize purse is a sweet $3.2 million. You heard that right, three point two million bucks! And get this, that’s a cool $100,000 more than what Scottie Scheffler pulled in for winning the Open Championship back in 2025. This isn’t Fox’s first big payday, but it’s definitely his biggest. He’d previously earned $720,000 for winning the Myrtle Beach Classic in May 2025, then followed that up with $1.76 million after taking the RBC Canadian Open in June 2025. Before this major win, he had a solid $9.27 million in official earnings from the PGA Tour and a hefty 14.9 million euro, which is around $17 million, on the DP World Tour. This Open Championship victory just blew all those numbers out of the water.
What a statement win for Fox. He’s officially a major champion now, etching his name into golf history with that record-breaking comeback. You’ve gotta wonder, with this kind of grit and a major already in the bag, how many more trophies are coming his way?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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