Ryan Fox produced a composed final round to win the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, holding his nerve in sweltering conditions to claim his first major title. The 39-year-old New Zealander, son of former All Black Grant Fox, carded a two-under 68 to finish one shot clear of American Cameron Young, sealing victory with a birdie on the demanding 18th hole after a dramatic final day that saw the lead change hands repeatedly.

Fox began the week as a 100-1 outsider and was seven shots off the pace after an opening 72, before a record-equalling 62 on Saturday propelled him into contention, representing the largest 36-hole comeback by position in major championship history. On the last hole he struck a 330-yard drive, an excellent approach to 11 feet, and calmly holed the winning putt despite admitting his hands were shaking. He becomes the lowest-ranked Open champion since Darren Clarke in 2011, finishing ahead of Young (-9) and Sam Burns (-8), with Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood among the chasing pack.