New Zealand's Ryan Fox wins 154th British Open on final hole to secure maiden major title

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fox-ryan/bR9ztYXn/"]Fox[/a] was level with long-time clubhouse leader [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/young-cameron/WAjf7EFq/"]Cameron Young[/a] on nine under heading down the last but played a stunning approach shot and then sunk a 20 foot birdie.[/p][p]The 39-year-old is only the second New Zealand man to win the Open, following Bob Charles in 1963 Royal Lytham.[/p][p]His final round 68 left him with a total of 270, with Young - who carded a stunning 64 - on 271. American [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/burns-sam/Ya8WURp6/"]Sam Burns[/a], the overnight leader, finished third on eight under par.[/p][p][b]"Oh, wow. I don't really know what to think at the moment," [/b]Fox, son of former New Zealand rugby great Grant, said after being presented with the Claret Jug.[/p][p][b]"I've got a lot of people to thank. First of all, my family, my wife and kids are in Florida at the moment; I spoke to my kids last night, and they said, bring back a trophy.[/b][/p][p][b]"I think this is a pretty cool one to bring back for them."[/b][/p][embed guid="1a2cc134-ac82-4cef-9691-576f60e1c58f" url="https://x.com/TheOpen/status/2078906073981804710" social-type="twitter" /][p]A compelling final day alongside the Irish Sea began with Burns two strokes clear on a tightly bunched leaderboard.[/p][p]But as the various challengers first threatened and then fell away in a gripping drama played out over the dunes, it looked as though Young's 64 might prove decisive.[/p][p]Young, who began the day in a tie for 20th, had been finished for two hours and was hitting balls on the range as a playoff looked increasingly likely.[/p][p]Fox, who blasted into contention with a men's major record-equalling 62 on Saturday, seemed to be fading around the turn but found inspiration down the stretch with four birdies in his final six holes.[/p][p]He could only par the par-five 17th after getting unlucky when his tee shot rolled into a fairway bunker. That meant a birdie was required on the treacherous 18th to win outright.[/p][p]His next three shots will go down in New Zealand sporting folklore as he saved the best to last.[/p][embed guid="6d18fc86-d181-4256-ab65-36df3f1533f9" url="https://x.com/TheOpen/status/2078899166021923231" social-type="twitter" /][p]He smashed his drive down the barren fairway, then flighted a brilliant approach to 20 feet. In front of thousands of fans, he then stroked his ball straight into the middle of the cup.[/p][p]World number one [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/scheffler-scottie/bXfIuBYu/"]Scottie Scheffler[/a] finished in a tie for fourth on seven under with home favourite [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fleetwood-tommy/Svq63qoo/"]Tommy Fleetwood[/a].[/p]