Ryan Fox Claims Open Championship, Marking a Gloomy Major Season for U.S. Golf

Ryan Fox secured the Claret Jug at The Open Championship on Sunday, birdieing the toughest hole at Royal Birkdale to seal the victory. The win denied American golfers Cameron Young and Sam Burns, who finished behind the New Zealander. Fox's triumph caps a major championship season that has been the most challenging for American golf in over a decade. No U.S. player has won a major this year, the first time since 2012 that American golfers have been shut out of golf's four biggest events. Fox, ranked 23rd in the world, played steady golf throughout the final round, with his decisive birdie coming on the par-4 17th hole, considered the most difficult on the course. He finished at 8-under par, two strokes ahead of Young and Burns. The result is a fresh blow to American golf, which had dominated recent majors but struggled this season. The last American major winner was Collin Morikawa at the 2021 Open. With this victory, Fox becomes the first New Zealander to win The Open since Sir Bob Charles in 1963. The 35-year-old has now won three times on the DP World Tour and adds his first major title to his resume.