The Open 2026 Concludes at Royal Birkdale as Ryan Fox Lifts the Claret Jug

The 154th Open Championship has finished, with New Zealand's Ryan Fox lifting the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale. Played from 16 to 19 July on the Southport links, the season's third major came down to the final hole. Fox held on to win his first major title, a fortnight after Kent's Royal Cinque Ports helped send five qualifiers into the field.

Ryan Fox wins his first major at Royal Birkdale

Ryan Fox closed on 10 under par to win the 154th Open Championship by a single stroke, birdieing the 72nd hole for a final round of 68 and a total of 270. The 39-year-old finished one clear of Cameron Young of the United States, who ended at 9 under, to claim his maiden major and become the third New Zealander to win one of golf's biggest titles. The championship was played over four days at Royal Birkdale in Southport, Merseyside, from 16 to 19 July.

There was a Kent thread to the week as well: Royal Cinque Ports at Deal served as one of the four Final Qualifying venues, sending five players through to Birkdale earlier in the month.

Source: Wikipedia: 2026 Open Championship

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