Ryan Fox adds Claret Jug to family’s incredible sporting legacy

Ryan Fox, a 39-year-old New Zealand golfer, claimed victory at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, adding the prestigious Claret Jug to his personal collection and cementing his place among the country’s elite athletes. This triumph marks him as the third New Zealander to win a men’s major championship, following in the footsteps of Bob Charles and Michael Campbell. Fox’s win comes amid a broader narrative of athletic excellence within his family, which includes his father, Grant Fox, a former All Black rugby player who led New Zealand to its first-ever Rugby World Cup title in 1987. On his mother’s side, Fox traces his lineage to Merv Wallace, who both captained and coached the New Zealand cricket team. Fox’s journey to the top of the golf world was anything but conventional. At 30, he turned professional on the DP World Tour, and nearly a decade later, at 37, he joined the PGA Tour. Despite these late starts, he has steadily climbed the ranks, culminating in his historic victory at the Open. “I was a rookie on the DP World Tour at 30,” Fox said. “I was a rookie on the PGA Tour at 37 and now a Major champion at 39.” His success defies expectations, particularly in a sport often dominated by younger players. The path to this achievement was not without its challenges. In his early days on the Australian Tour, Fox faced moments of doubt. After missing the cut at the Australian PGA Championship, he found himself considering quitting the sport entirely. It was during this low point that his father, Grant Fox, stepped in as his caddie. Their conversation changed the course of Fox’s career. “My dad came over and caddied for me and he said to me, ‘Why do you play this game?’” Fox recalled. “I said, ‘Well, it's supposed to be fun.’ But it wasn’t really very fun at the time.” After that exchange, Fox approached the remainder of the season with renewed perspective. He finished fifth in the subsequent event, securing his tour card and allowing him to continue his pursuit of a professional golf career. That experience became a pivotal moment, one that helped him persevere through the pressures of competition. Fox’s victory at the Open has placed him in rare company. Alongside Bob Charles, who won the 1964 Open, and Michael Campbell, who captured the U.S. Open in 2005, Fox becomes the third New Zealand man to lift a major trophy. The country already has a prominent figure in women’s golf in Lydia Ko, who has secured three major titles at the age of 29. Fox believes this latest success underscores New Zealand’s ability to produce world-class athletes despite its relatively small population. “I think we punch above our weight a little bit in New Zealand anyway,” he said. “I think this will be huge for New Zealand golf.” For Fox, the significance of winning the Open extends beyond personal achievement. Growing up, watching the tournament on television was a dream he thought might remain unfulfilled. Now, having lifted the Claret Jug, he plans to return it to St Andrews next year, ensuring his presence in the Open for at least the next 16 years. “I used to get up in the middle of the night to watch this tournament back home,” he said. “It was always something that was there just to be able to play in it. Now to be an Open champion, to be the champion golfer of the year, it's unbelievable, surreal, crazy.” Fox’s win has sparked conversations about the unique blend of talent and determination that defines New Zealand’s sporting culture. With a legacy spanning rugby, cricket, and now golf, his family’s contributions to international sports have reached new heights. As he moves forward, Fox aims to inspire future generations of athletes, proving that success can come at any stage of life.