Ryan Fox’s fast finish gives The Open a new pace-of-play talking point

Ryan Fox won the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale with an 11-foot putt on the 18th green, taking the title by a single shot. The decisive stroke came just 22 seconds after Sam Burns had completed his round, underlining Fox’s unusually quick rhythm.

Fox’s victory stood out not only for the result but for the way he played. He has described his method as trusting the shot he sees quickly rather than letting extra thinking create doubt, and his closing rounds of 62 and 68 turned that approach into a major-winning formula.

The week also carried controversy after Bryson DeChambeau received a two-shot penalty during the second round for actions in the rough that officials judged had improved his swing line. Scottie Scheffler defended him publicly, while the incident and DeChambeau’s delayed scorecard signing kept attention on the rules debate.

Fox’s win offers a different storyline: a late-developing New Zealander, from a notable sporting family, reaching the top after years on the professional circuit. His brisk style may not be realistic for every player, but it gives golf a useful example at a time when slow play remains a frequent complaint.