'A pleasure to watch'

New Zealand’s first major champion, Sir Bob Charles, has paid tribute to Ryan Fox after the latter emulated his feat of winning The Open.

Fox secured victory in style at a sun-kissed Royal Birkdale, coming up clutch with a magnificent birdie on the 72nd-hole to beat Cameron Young by one.

The 39-year-old joins Charles, who won The Open at nearby Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1963, 2005 US Open winner Michael Campbell and three-time major-winner Lydia Ko as one of only four players from New Zealand to have tasted major glory.

"It was fantastic,” Charles told The R&A in a video call from his Christchurch home. “I’m proud of him.

“I take my hat off to him. I think it’s wonderful for New Zealand. I think this is going to be a great shot in the arm for New Zealand golf.

“I think young people will be looking at it [Fox’s win] and thinking, ‘if I work hard and persevere, maybe I can do that too’.

“It's put New Zealand golf on the map. Ryan has been flying the flag for some time and he'll continue to do that. We have a lot of young talent down here and I'm sure that this will inspire them to step up a peg or two."

As well as being hugely impressed by Fox’s performance under pressure, Charles was eager to highlight his compatriot’s playing speed as a huge positive.

The decisiveness shown by Fox on the final green has gained much attention, with his winning putt having been struck just 22 seconds after playing partner Sam Burns had picked his ball out of the hole.

“He is a breath of fresh air - he gets on with the game,” said Charles of Fox. “I'm all in favour of someone who gets on with the game.

“He just didn't change. A lot of guys would have spent lots of time over that putt he holed for a birdie, but he just stepped up there and banged it in the hole, so it was just a pleasure to watch. I think he's good for the game.”

Fox’s victory may have been something of a surprise to many given his previous best finish in a major was a T16 placing in The 150th Open, at St Andrews in 2022.

However, Charles believes Fox can now follow up his Birkdale victory with further success in golf’s original championship.

“He was just absolutely brilliant to watch and, in fact, I'm going to put my money on him for a repeat next year at St Andrews,” said Charles.

“I think he's got the game, he knows how to win now. I'm really excited for his future.”