Ryan Fox produced a magnificent finish to win The Open Championship by one stroke from Cam Young at Royal Birkdale.
Fox played some really solid golf throughout his final round at The Open, but things looked bleak for him on the 15th hole.
The 39-year-old’s tee shot found the bunker short of the green and he wasn’t even able to attack the back of the ball.
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Ryan Fox was forced to play out backwards from the sand, but then produced a sensational up and down to save his bogey.
Then the man from New Zealand birdied the 16th, parred the 17th, and made an incredible birdie on the difficult 18th hole to win The Open Championship.
And after his victory at Royal Birkdale, Sky Sports presenter Nick Dougherty made a big claim about just how much golf needed the New Zealander’s victory.
Ryan Fox’s win at The Open claimed to be the ‘shot in the arm that golf needed’
Fox is a hugely popular player on the PGA Tour.
And after all of the controversy this week at Birkdale, Dougherty suggested that Fox’s win is just what golf needs right now.
“This is maybe the shot in the arm that golf needed,“ he said.
“The game is changing, quite clearly, some of it is for the better but not all of it. In terms of the dynamic between golfers, between the media, between the stories told and how the world is working, being held to ransom in terms of the game at times.
“There is a player here who is a no nonsense sort of golfer and when you get to these Championships surely it should be about The Open.
“Correct me if I am wrong but sometimes in recent years it feels like we get to these Championships and our attention has been elsewhere. It’s nice to see a guy who is all about the golf and a no-nonsense player win here.“
After Bryson DeChambeau’s shenanigans at Royal Birkdale, a man with Fox’s integrity winning The Open was a pleasant way to end the week.
Ryan Fox speaks after winning The Open
Fox spoke about his victory on the 18th green at Royal Birkdale.
“I don’t really know what to think at the moment,“ he said.
“I have a lot of people to thank. First of all my family. My wife and kids are in Florida at the moment. When I spoke to my kids last night they said bring back a trophy, I think this is a pretty cool one to bring back for them.
“My family back in New Zealand and all my supporters back there, I know it’s been a long night for them but I am glad it’s been worthwhile.
“My team, you guys put in so much work and I know I wouldn’t be here without them. The R&A, to Royal Birkdale, everyone who has made this event what it is, just an unbelievable week.
“The golf course was fantastic, the English weather was fantastic, you guys out there were fantastic, the support was amazing. This is pretty cool, thank you very much.“
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