Ryan Fox clinched his maien major title in dramatic fashion at The Open, edging out Cameron Young by a single shot after carding four birdies in his final six holes.

On Saturday, Fox had become the third player to equal the all-time best score in a single round of a men's major at Royal Birkdale this week, matching the 62s carded by Sam Burns and Lucas Herbert a day earlier.

He entered Sunday's finale two shots adrift of leader Burns, though his hopes looked to be slipping away when he found himself two over through 12 holes.

Fox bogeyed holes nine and 11, with a birdie at the second the only shot he had managed to gain up to that point.

A similarly difficult start put paid to Burns' chances, with three straight bogeys early on giving him too much to do as he struggled to a two-over 72.

That meant Young was able to set the clubhouse target, with the American – who finished second at The Open in 2022 and boasts top-four finishes at each of the other majors – achieving a six-under round of 64 to move to nine under for the week.

Young had to wait around two-and-a-half hours for Fox to reach the 18th after finishing his own round, heading to the driving range as he prepared for the possibility of a play-off.

Having built momentum down the back nine, Fox missed an agonising birdie putt at the 17th, meaning he had to birdie the 18th to snatch the Claret Jug.

But an impressive drive off the tee was followed by a glorious approach shot to leave him with a 12-foot putt, which he sank after striding up to the ball confidently and taking little time to think.

Champion Golfer of the Year. pic.twitter.com/jKB7XSv1bl

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 19, 2026

Fox is just the second player from New Zealand to win The Open, after Bob Charles in 1963.

He is only the third New Zealander to win a major overall, with Michael Campbell having triumphed at the U.S. Open in 2005.

The 39-year-old previously had just two PGA Tour titles under his belt, winning the Myrtle Beach Classic and the Canadian Open last year.

Scottie Scheffler looked well placed to push into contention after a great first nine, but bogeys on the 13th, 16th and 18th proved costly for the world number one, who finished T4, three shots back from Fox.

It was a similar tale of frustration for home favourite Tommy Fleetwood, who finished level with Scheffler on seven under after dropping three shots across his final round, which featured five birdies.

Rory McIlroy endured a difficult finish, as he carded 71 to finish nine shots off the pace.