Ryan Fox’s Open Triumph: What Went Right and the Rory-Bryson Fallout

So, another Open Championship is in the books. And what a finish it was. Ryan Fox. The bloke from New Zealand, taking down the Claret Jug. Birdied four of his last six holes. Shot a 68 on Sunday. Beat Cameron Young by a single shot. His first major. Pretty damn good, right? But it wasn’t just Fox’s heroics that got people talking. Oh no. The usual drama, the usual suspects. Let’s get into it.

Fox’s Steady Hand in the Storm

How did Fox pull it off? Simple. He played like a seasoned pro, even when the pressure was cranked up to eleven. Everyone else seemed to be wilting under the bright lights at Royal Birkdale, but Fox? Nah. He just kept doing his thing. It sounds basic, but the best golfers, the ones who actually win these things, are the ones who can actually perform when it matters. And on Sunday, nobody performed better than Fox.

My colleagues were saying it too. He hung in there. Faced some serious adversity. That chip shot on the 9th, the one that rolled all the way back to his feet? Could have derailed the whole damn thing. But he didn’t crack. Bogeyed it, got it up and down. That mental toughness, that’s what separates the contenders from the also-rans in a major. That’s everything.

And his routine. Bloody brilliant. So many guys, when they’re trying to close out a tournament, they start fidgeting, changing their tempo, losing their rhythm. Fox? He stuck to his guns. Brisk, consistent, just like he’d been all week. When you’re trying to win the biggest prize in golf, staying in your groove is half the battle. He nailed it.

The 62s: A Sign of the Times or Just a Blip?

Now, about those scores. Three 62s at Royal Birkdale. Three! Branden Grace had the first one there back in 2017, and then this week, boom, boom, boom. Is that a problem? Some people think so. They reckon the rough should have been juicier, that driving it wild should have cost you more. Make the punishment fit the crime, you know?

But honestly? When everyone’s playing the same course, it’s hard to complain too much about the scores. And even with all those low numbers, the winner still needed 270 strokes. That’s not exactly a walk in the park. Good shots were rewarded, bad shots were definitely punished. That’s all you can really ask for, isn’t it? Sometimes the weather just gives you a bit of a gift, and the course shows its teeth when it wants to. No big deal.

Bryson’s Drama: Net Positive or Just a Headache?

Before Fox was hoisting the Claret Jug, the talk of the tournament was Bryson DeChambeau. That penalty on Friday, the whole circus that followed. Opinions were flying everywhere. Fans, players, analysts. Everyone had something to say. So, what’s the verdict? Was it a net positive or a negative for Bryson?

Well, if you’re measuring by social media followers, I’d bet it was a massive net positive. That’s what matters these days, right? His YouTube channel probably got a nice little bump, too. You can bet he’ll be breaking down the whole saga for his subscribers. Smash that like button, hit subscribe, all that jazz.

From a public perception standpoint, probably a net positive. Fans love that stuff, the drama. But if Rory McIlroy’s comments are anything to go by, it might have been a net negative with his peers. And that’s where it gets interesting.

Rory vs. Bryson: The Gloves Come Off

Rory McIlroy didn’t exactly hold back when he was asked about Bryson’s little episode. Said he wasn’t particularly fond of him. Thought it was all performative. All for attention. There’s history there, obviously. But was Rory fair? Or did he cross the line?

Look, when you’re asked for your opinion, you’re entitled to give it. I found Rory’s forthrightness refreshing, to be honest. I don’t quite buy the “holding the tournament hostage” bit, though. The uncertainty about tee times? Come on. You’re playing the weekend in the Open Championship. What else have you got planned? Go to bed early, get up early, and be ready. Maybe the old guard would say this is just what today’s pros consider adversity: not knowing if you’re teeing off at 11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. Pathetic, really.

But calling Bryson “performative”? Absolutely. The man is a content king. Everything he does is for the cameras. So no, I don’t have an issue with that behavior being called out. Not one bit.

Now, Rory calling out another player publicly like that? It’s a bit ungentlemanly, I’ll give you that. And I still don’t get how Bryson’s situation delayed tee times. But there’s history fueling that bad blood. And when it comes to Bryson’s “performative” antics? The whole thing was pretty damn dramatic. Was it pure passion for an alleged injustice, or was it Bryson milking the moment for his personal brand? Probably a bit of both, let’s be honest.

Who Won Without Winning?

This is always a fun one. Who walked away from the final major of the season feeling like they won something, even without the trophy?

My colleagues brought up Tommy Fleetwood. The hometown favorite. Had to be gutted not to make a Sunday run. But he was talking about the memories, the experiences you can’t buy. Sounds sincere, not just some guy trying to rationalize a loss. Good on him.

And Casey Jarvis. First-career major top 10. First Open start. Qualified for St. Andrews next year. That’s a pretty damn great week, wouldn’t you say?

I’ll second Tommy Fleetwood. The hometown hero was in contention, birdied his last two holes. Not a win, but that’s got to feel pretty damn good.

The Ones Left Wondering “What If?”

And who’s sitting there right now, absolutely pissed off, wondering what could have been?

Scottie Scheffler. The defending champ. If he’d just had a halfway decent week on the greens, he could have won by a mile. He was hitting the ball well enough to repeat, but his putter was colder than a witch’s kiss. Tough way to end the major season for the world number one.

And Cameron Young. Bogeyed the 18th, held the clubhouse lead for over two hours. A playoff looked inevitable. Then, the tournament’s very last putt. Crushed. That’s eight career top-10s in majors now. Still chasing that first big one. That’s got to sting.

The drama, the storylines, the near misses. That’s why we love golf, isn’t it? Even when it drives you absolutely insane.

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