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'I just couldn't drink anymore': Fox lifts lid on celebrations after life-changing Open triumph
Sport Nation •  July 21st, 2026 11:19 am
Ryan Fox | Photo: Photosport
Ryan Fox admits he is still coming to terms with becoming a major champion, describing the 24 hours since his stunning Open victory as a "whirlwind" that has changed his life forever.
Speaking to Sport Nation Mornings after returning home to Florida on Tuesday, the newly crowned Champion Golfer of the Year said the magnitude of his achievement - despite a night of celebrations he'd clearly embraced - still hadn't fully sunk in.
"I probably feel a little worse for wear," Fox confessed. "A little tired, still not quite sure what happened 24 hours ago or so.
"It's been a whirlwind 24 hours. I celebrated pretty well last night and I've just got back home in Florida to see the family."
The victory, secured after a nerveless final-round performance at Royal Birkdale, guarantees Fox starts in golf's biggest tournaments for years to come and provides security that extends well beyond the fairways.
"It's life-changing in a lot of ways," he said.
"It's always been a dream to win a major. Whether I thought it was a possibility, I'm not 100 percent sure, but it happened, so I guess it was.
"The doors that open going forward, both for me and my golf, but also to be able to plan things with the family, to have some certainty for five years, on any tour I want to play on basically, to be in the majors for five years... I don't really have words for it."
Ryan Fox on the craziness of becoming the Champion Golfer of the Year | Sport Nation
Fox's charge began with a blistering third-round 62 that catapulted him into contention after he started the weekend simply hoping for a respectable finish.
"I'm not sure I thought I could get myself back in contention," he admitted.
"I was thinking maybe shoot a couple under on Sunday and get a top-20 or top-15. Then all of a sudden I'm in the last group on Sunday with a chance to win a major."
Despite the enormity of the occasion, Fox said he surprised himself with how calm he felt.
"I remember talking to my caddie Dean four or five holes in and saying, 'I feel a lot better than I thought I would feel right now.'
"Actually, in the moment it felt okay. Down the stretch I honestly felt even better."
The defining test came on the 15th hole when his approach plugged in a bunker, forcing him to scramble for bogey.
Rather than panic, Fox accepted the situation.
"I had no choice. I had to take my medicine," he said. "I kind of knew over that pitch shot that it was almost my tournament right there. If I got that up and down, I'd still have a chance."
Saving bogey proved pivotal, setting the tone for some superb iron shots and clutch putts over the closing holes to clinch the Claret Jug.
"When that final putt went and there was a massive roar... everything kind of came out."
Ryan Fox's winning putt on the 18th at Royal Birkdale | Photo: Matthew Harris/Golf Picture Agency
Fox confirmed the Claret Jug had quickly been put to good use since it had come into his possession.
"I can confirm there was some pretty nice red wine put in there," he laughed.
"There are some videos that should not see the light of day of various people drinking out of the Claret Jug last night."
Among those celebrating were fellow professionals Min Woo Lee, Dan Hillier and Thomas Detry, along with members of his team and family.
Fox joked that eventually he had to stop drinking from the famous trophy himself.
"I got to a point where I just can't drink anymore," he said.
"I said, 'You guys can drink as much as you want out of this. I get this for the rest of the year, so this is your night to go hard on it.'"
While his schedule for the remainder of the PGA Tour season is still being worked out, one thing is certain - he wants to bring the iconic prize back to Aotearoa as soon as possible.
"I really want to bring the Claret Jug down to New Zealand and be able to show it off," he said.
"I've got a few mates who are itching to get their hands on it and drink some claret out of it as well."
Listen to the full interview below:
