The Open Championship Recap: Fox’s Triumph, DeChambeau Drama, and McIlroy’s Zingers

Alright, let’s cut the crap and get down to it. The Open Championship. Royal Birkdale. What a damn week. Ryan Fox pulling off that insane win, Bryson DeChambeau being Bryson DeChambeau, and Rory McIlroy dropping some truth bombs. We’re talking about the stuff that makes golf… well, golf. The good, the bad, and the downright ridiculous. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Fox’s Fairytale Finish: Clutch Golf Under Pressure

So, Ryan Fox. Who saw that coming? Birdied four of his last six holes. Shot a 68. Grabbed his first major. One shot over Cameron Young. The guy shot a 62 on Saturday, remember that? How did he pull it off on Sunday? It wasn’t just luck, that’s for damn sure.

Josh Sens, who knows a thing or two, points out the obvious: conditions mattered. Fox played it smart when things were relatively calm on Saturday. But more than that, he stayed patient. Royal Birkdale, man. That course can mess with your head. You get some bad breaks, like Fox did with some dodgy bunker lies down the stretch, and most guys would fold. Not Fox. He stayed cool. Kept that brisk routine of his. Most players start to rush when they’re trying to close it out. Fox just… kept going. In his rhythm.

Zephyr Melton adds that while others were wilting, Fox was thriving. When the pressure cooker was at its hottest, when every contender seemed to be flinching, Fox was dialing it in. It sounds simple, but the best golfers are the ones who can actually do it when the lights are brightest. Sunday at an Open? That’s the ultimate test. And Fox? He passed with flying colors.

Jessica Marksbury backs it up. Fox hung in there like a champ. He even had some seriously bad luck, like that chip shot on 9 that bounced right back at him. Could have easily derailed his whole damn round. But he managed to get up and down for bogey. That kind of mental toughness? That’s what major championship Sundays are made of. It’s not just about hitting it far or straight; it’s about having the guts to keep going when everything’s trying to push you down.

The 62s: Too Many Low Scores?

Now, the elephant in the room. Three 62s at Royal Birkdale. Branden Grace had the first one there back in 2017, so it’s not like it’s unheard of. But three in one week? Is that a problem? Do the courses need more teeth?

Sens thinks so. He wishes they’d found a way to keep some of the juice in the rough, even with the dry conditions. His take? Driving it wild should cost you more at an Open. It’s supposed to be a test, right? Not a glorified driving range.

Melton, though, he’s not bothered. He argues that even with all the low scores, the winner still needed 270 strokes. That’s one more than Aronimink, which got rave reviews. His point is, the low scores had to be earned. Good shots got rewarded. Bad shots got punished. What more do you want? It’s a balance, I guess. You want it tough, but not impossible.

Marksbury agrees. No issues with the low scores. Sometimes, she says, the weather overseas just gives you a gift. And let’s be real, the course still managed to show its fangs at times. So maybe it’s not as simple as just saying “too many birdies.” It’s about how the course played overall, and if the cream still rose to the top. Which, apparently, it did.

Bryson’s Big Drama: Social Media Gold or Peer Disdain?

Before Fox even got his hands on the Claret Jug, all anyone could talk about was Bryson DeChambeau. His Friday penalty, the whole damn circus that followed. Everyone had an opinion: fans, players, analysts. So, what’s the verdict on Bryson’s week? Net positive or negative?

Sens, with his typical dry wit, says it was a huge net positive for social media followers. Because, you know, that’s all that really matters these days, right? rolls eyes. He’s probably not wrong, though. Bryson knows how to get clicks.

Melton chimes in about Bryson’s YouTube channel. He’s sure Bryson will break it all down there. “Smash that like button and hit subscribe,” he says, sarcastically. It’s funny because it’s true. The guy is a content machine. Whether you like it or not.

Marksbury thinks it was probably a net positive for general public support. His fans probably ate it up. But, if Rory McIlroy’s comments are anything to go by, it might have been a net negative with his pro golf peers. And that’s where it gets interesting. What your buddies think matters, doesn’t it?

Rory vs. Bryson: The Zingers Fly

Speaking of Rory McIlroy, he didn’t exactly mince words when asked about DeChambeau’s Friday meltdown. He said, and I quote, “I’m not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it’s performative. I think a lot of it’s for attention.”

There’s history there, obviously. But was Rory fair? Or did he cross a line?

Sens thinks it’s fair game. Rory was asked, he answered. He calls the forthrightness refreshing. But he quibbles with the “holding the tournament hostage” bit. The uncertainty around tee times? Overblown, in his opinion. You’re playing the weekend at The Open. You got other plans? Go to bed early, get up early, be ready. He jokes that some old-timer would probably say that not knowing your exact tee time is just “adversity for today’s pros.” Harsh, but maybe true?

Melton is blunt. Calling content king Bryson “performative?” Absolutely. Everything he does, he says, is for the cameras. He doesn’t have an issue with Bryson’s behavior being called out. It’s hard to argue with that, really. The guy is a showman.

Marksbury, however, thinks it’s a bit ungentlemanly to publicly trash another player like that. And she doesn’t get how Bryson’s situation delayed tee times either. But she acknowledges the history. There’s bad blood there, and it fuels the fire. As for the “performative” antics? She thinks it was dramatic, sure. But was it pure passion for an injustice, or Bryson milking it for his personal brand? Maybe a bit of both. That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?

The Open Champions Who Didn’t Win

Who else won the Open Championship without actually winning the damn thing?

Sens brings up hometown hero Tommy Fleetwood. He had to be disappointed not to make a Sunday run. But Fleetwood talked about the memories, the experiences you can’t buy. Sens says a cynic might call that a crushed soul rationalizing. But he gets the sense Fleetwood was being sincere. Sometimes, just playing well at home, in front of your people, means something.

Melton throws Casey Jarvis into the mix. His first-career major top 10. His first Open start. He played well enough to qualify for next year. That’s a pretty damn great week, all things considered.

Marksbury seconds Fleetwood. The hometown hero was in contention. Birdied his last two holes. Not a win, but it had to feel good. You gotta give credit where it’s due.

Who’s Pissed Off Leaving the Final Major?

And who’s the most upset, wondering what could have been as the final major of the season wrapped up?

Sens immediately says Scottie Scheffler. The defending champ. With even a halfway decent week on the greens, he could have won by several shots. That’s gotta sting.

Melton agrees. Scheffler hit it well enough to repeat, but his putter was colder than a witch’s… well, you know. Tough way to end the major season for the world No. 1.

Marksbury picks Cameron Young. He bogeyed 18. Held the clubhouse lead for over two hours. A playoff looked likely. Then, the tournament’s very last putt snatched it away. Eight career top-10s in majors. The pursuit of that first major continues. That’s the kind of stuff that keeps you up at night. You’re so close, and then… bam. Golf, man. It’s a brutal, beautiful game. You can learn more about the history of major championships at The Open Championship website .