By ED TRAVIS
Golf fans were treated to 2026 British Open drama and served up a couple of lessons that needed relearning including how 39-year-old Ryan Fox beat the best in the world.
Fox became the first New Zealand native since left hander Sir Bob Charles in 1963 to take home the Claret Jug. He had two previous PGA Tour victories both in 2025 and the reputation of playing quickly prompted Scottie Scheffler to say a threesome with Fox was like a twosome since he took so little time.
TV coverage at times was stretched to cover his pre-shot routine and actual swing since he often was finished when other players were still putting on a glove, conferring with the caddy and selecting a club not to mention multiple practice swings only to begin again when they were unsure of what they should do.
The point is he took less than 30 seconds after playing partner Sam Burns took his ball from the hole and the crowd was still applauding to step up, survey and then stroke a ten-foot plus putt for birdie to win his first major championship. For the record he also managed to craft a 62 in the third round to set up the Sunday win.
We in the weekend warrior category not to mention all touring professionals can apply this style of speedy play to our games and most likely score lower if not reduce all the stress that comes from over thinking. Maybe try something simple like “hit the ball in the hole.”
LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau raised the tournament drama factor in the second round with his vehement protest of a two-stroke penalty assessed for improving his lie in belt-high grass. Though it was accidental the R&A ruled walking around and crushing grass near the ball materially improved the path of his swing.
DeChambeau through his agent said he was unsure if he would play in the third round which of course meant the player pairings were not able to be completed and as some said he was holding the Open hostage. Much of the discussion Saturday and Sunday was not about the competition but on DeChambeau’s petulant behavior that included wanting to make a phone call to President Trump. Some said the ruling was overly severe but a reading of the Rules of Golf and anyone watching on television could assess the circumstances and they were not what the DeChambeau-rationalizers were purporting. One comment heard was he acted more like a spoiled child than a professional supposedly at the top of the game.
Finally, the weather at Royal Birkdale was shocking considering there were four days of play with sunshine, no rain and no wind. Definitely not British Open weather.
