New Zealander Ryan Fox sank a birdie putt on the 18th hole Sunday to capture the 154th British Open at Royal Birkdale, securing his first major championship by one stroke. The 39-year-old, ranked 56th in the world, finished at 10 under par, holding off American Cameron Young in a dramatic final round. Main Developments Fox carded a two-under-par 68 on Sunday, highlighted by birdies at the 13th, 14th, 16th, and 18th holes. He had entered the final round in contention after tying the all-time major record with a 62 on Saturday, the lowest round in British Open history. American Sam Burns, who held a two-shot overnight lead, saw his advantage evaporate with three consecutive bogeys on holes four, five, and six. He finished third at eight under par. South Korea's Kim Si-woo also threatened, moving within sight of the lead with nine holes to play, but shot four over on the back nine. Read also: Deschamps Bids Farewell After 14 Years Leading France Cameron Young charged through the front nine in 29 shots, going from three under to eight under, and added birdies on the 14th and 17th to reach 10 under. But he found sand off the tee on 18 and smashed his second shot into the bunker face, leading to a bogey that left him one shot short. Background Fox, son of former All Black rugby international Grant Fox, was 52nd after playing the first two rounds in level par. His Saturday 62 set up his historic opportunity. The win makes him only the third New Zealander to win a major, following Bob Charles at the 1964 British Open and Michael Campbell at the 2005 US Open. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler began the day six shots back but halved that deficit with three birdies in his first five holes. However, bogeys at the 13th, 15th, and 18th left him tied for fourth at seven under, ensuring he will end 2026 without adding to his four major wins. Why It Matters Fox's victory marks a breakthrough for New Zealand golf, ending a 21-year drought since Campbell's US Open win. It also highlights the pressure-cooker environment of major championships, as contenders like Burns and Kim faltered under the weight of expectations. Local hope Tommy Fleetwood briefly gave English fans belief of a first British Open winner since 1992, moving within one shot of the lead early in the round. But three consecutive bogeys dropped him back before a birdie-birdie finish lifted him into a tie for fourth alongside Scheffler. What's Next Fox will now prepare for the PGA Championship and the rest of the 2026 major season, carrying the Claret Jug and the confidence of a major winner. American Bryson DeChambeau, who incurred a two-shot penalty after his second round, finished at four under, a result that may prompt discussion about the penalty's fairness. Rory McIlroy, who ended at one under par after a 71, admitted he struggled to build momentum. “Any time I got a little bit of momentum out there, I seemed to make a bogey,” said the world number two. “Just one of those weeks I couldn’t get it going.”