GOLF.com: 2026 Open Championship Stock Report — Fox's Historic Win and the Rest of Birkdale's Story

Ryan Fox Claims the Claret Jug at 39

The 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale produced one of the sport's most feel-good storylines in years: Ryan Fox, a 39-year-old New Zealander with just three prior tour wins, rolled in a clutch 10-footer on the final hole to claim his first major title. GOLF.com's James Colgan broke down the week's winners and losers in his signature stock-report format.

Key Takeaways by Player

Ryan Fox — Peak

A career-defining win that opens every door imaginable, including a first-ever Presidents Cup appearance this fall at Medinah. Fox played with poise and personality throughout the week — everything you'd want in a major champion.

Scottie Scheffler — Rising

Despite a "disappointing" major season by his own lofty standards, Scheffler was spotted Saturday night drilling six consecutive 10-foot putts on the practice green with coach Phil Kenyon — a sequence with roughly 1-in-252 odds given his tour make rate. His putting struggles appear mental, not mechanical. When the block clears, look out.

Bryson DeChambeau — Falling

Controversy over a Friday two-shot penalty, refusal to speak to the press, and two over-par closing rounds added up to a damaging week on and off the course. His grip on golf's attention cycle, however, remains ironclad.

Cameron Young — Building Character

Waited two hours in the dining area for a playoff that never came, undone by a birdie from the final group on 72. A painful lesson that will likely make him sharper when the next opportunity arrives.

Jordan Spieth — Concerning

Missed the cut at the same venue where he authored one of the most memorable final rounds in the sport's recent memory. Nine years later, the narrative has shifted completely.

Tommy Fleetwood — Neutral

The only player to shoot four rounds in the 60s, yet walked away without the title. A loving home crowd, but still no major to show for it.

Sam Burns — Shrug

Held a two-shot lead entering Sunday, only to watch Cameron Young shoot a stunning 9-under final round while Burns couldn't close. Graciously applauded Fox at the finish — character on full display even in defeat.

Si Woo Kim — Honest

Came home in 40 after holding the lead at the turn. His Instagram admission of the choke the next day earned unexpected goodwill.

Casey Jarvis — Breakout

Ranked outside the world's top 2,000 not long ago, Jarvis finished T6 for his first major top-10 and approximately $550,000 in earnings — a genuine Birkdale success story.

Strokeslab Perspective

The Scheffler anecdote is the most analytically interesting moment of the week. Six consecutive 10-footers in a private practice session points to a gap between technical ability and in-round execution — something SG: Putting numbers alone don't capture. When the mental block lifts, the stat line will follow.