The Open Championship Shocker: Ryan Fox's Triumph and the Rory-Bryson Beef
Alright, let’s talk about The Open. Royal Birkdale. What a week. We saw a guy come out of nowhere, or at least it felt like it, and take home the Claret Jug. Ryan Fox. Damn, that guy played some golf. And then there was all the other noise. The Rory and Bryson show. It was a proper rollercoaster, wasn’t it?
Fox's Fairytale Run: Patience and Precision
So, how did Ryan Fox pull it off? He birdied four of his last six holes. That’s how. Shot a 68 on Sunday, beat Cameron Young by a single shot. His first major. He shot a 62 on Saturday, too. That’s some serious golf. It wasn’t just luck, though. The conditions at Birkdale played their part, sure. Saturday was a bit kinder. But Fox? He stayed patient. This course, it drives some guys nuts. The bounces, the lies. Fox just kept his cool. Even when he got a couple of rough bunker breaks near the end, he didn’t crumble. And his routine? That brisk, no-nonsense pace he plays at? He stuck with it. Most guys tightenin’ up trying to close. Fox just kept moving. That’s a sign of serious mental game.
Zephyr Melton, who knows a thing or two about game improvement, pointed out something crucial. While others were wilting under the pressure, Fox was thriving. When the lights were brightest, when every contender was struggling to find those clutch shots, Fox was delivering. It sounds simple, but the best golfers are the ones who can perform when it matters. And on Sunday at Birkdale, Fox was the best.
Jessica Marksbury, another sharp golf mind, echoed those sentiments. Fox’s resilience was something else. He dealt with adversity, too. Remember that chip shot on the 9th? From behind the green, came right back to his feet. Could have derailed him completely. But he regrouped, got up and down for bogey. That kind of mental toughness? That’s what wins major championships.
The 62s: Too Much of a Good Thing?
Now, about those scores. Three 62s at Royal Birkdale. Branden Grace had the first one there back in 2017. Is that a problem? Josh Sens thinks it’s hard to complain when everyone’s playing the same track. But he also wishes they’d found a way to keep some more juice in the rough, especially with how dry it was. Ideally, he reckons, driving it wildly off-line in an Open should cost you more than it did this week.
Zephyr, though? He’s not bothered. Even with all the low scores, the winner still needed 270 strokes. That’s one less than Aronimink, a course that got rave reviews. Low scores were out there, yeah, but they had to be earned. Good shots got rewarded, bad shots got punished. That’s all you can ask for, right?
Jessica agrees. No issues with the low scores. Sometimes the weather gods bestow gifts. And, as we all saw, the course still had plenty of teeth to show off.
Bryson, Rory, and the Spectacle
Before Fox even got his hands on the Claret Jug, Bryson DeChambeau was the main event. His Friday penalty, the drama that followed. Opinions were flying from every direction: fans, players, analysts. So, how do we sum up Bryson’s week? Net positive or negative?
Josh Sens has a dry take. Probably a huge net positive for social media followers. Because, you know, that’s all that really matters these days, isn’t it?
Zephyr is all about the YouTube hustle. Definitely a positive for his channel. He’s sure Bryson will give us the full breakdown. Just gotta smash that like button and subscribe, obviously.
Jessica sees it a bit differently. For the general public and his fans, it was probably a net positive. But if Rory McIlroy’s comments are anything to go by, it might have been a net negative with his pro golf peers. Ouch.
Rory's Shot Across the Bow
Rory McIlroy didn’t hold back when asked about DeChambeau’s Friday circus. “I’m not particularly fond of him,” Rory said. “I think a lot of it’s performative. I think a lot of it’s for attention.” There’s history there, sure. But was Rory being fair? Or did he cross a line?
Sens thinks it’s fair game for Rory to share his thoughts when asked. He found the straightforwardness refreshing. He’d argue with Rory’s claim that DeChambeau was holding the tournament hostage, though. The whole tee time uncertainty? Overblown, in his opinion. You’re playing the weekend in The Open. What else have you got planned? Go to bed early, get up early, be ready. An old-timer might say that not knowing if you’re teeing off at 11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. is what passes for adversity for today’s pros.
Zephyr? He’s direct. Is it fair to call Bryson, the “content king,” performative? Absolutely. Everything he does is for the cameras. He has no issue with that behavior being called out.
Jessica, on the other hand, finds it a bit ungentlemanly to publicly trash another player like that. And she doesn’t quite get how Bryson’s situation delayed tee times. But the history between Rory and Bryson is definitely fueling the bad blood. As for Bryson’s “performative” antics, well, the whole thing was pretty dramatic. Was it pure passion for an alleged injustice, or Bryson milking the moment for his brand? Maybe a bit of both, she figures.
The Unsung Heroes (and the Heartbreak)
Who won The Open without actually winning The Open? Good question.
Josh Sens brings up hometown favorite Tommy Fleetwood. He must have been disappointed not to make a Sunday run. But he also talked about the memories, the experiences you can’t buy. Coming from another player, a cynic might say he’s just rationalizing a crushed soul. But Sens gets the sense Fleetwood was being completely sincere.
Zephyr points to Casey Jarvis. His first-career major top 10. His first Open start. He played well enough to qualify for next year at St. Andrews. That’s a pretty damn great week, he reckons.
Jessica seconds both. She’ll go with Tommy. The hometown hero was in the mix, birdied his last two holes on Sunday. Not a win, but that had to feel good.
Who's Left Wondering "What If"?
And who’s the most upset, wondering what could have been as the final major of the season wrapped up?
Josh Sens immediately says Scottie Scheffler. The defending champ. With even a halfway decent week on the greens, he could have won by several shots. He hit the ball well enough to repeat, but his putter was colder than a January morning. Tough way to end the major season for the world No. 1.
Zephyr agrees. Absolutely Scottie. He hit it well enough to win, but the putter just wasn’t there. A brutal finish to the major calendar for him.
Jessica’s pick is Cameron Young. He bogeyed the 18th, then sat in the clubhouse lead for over two hours. A playoff looked imminent. Then, the tournament’s very last putt crushed his hopes. That’s eight career top-10s in majors now. The pursuit of his first major continues. Talk about agonizing.
This Open had it all. A surprise winner, a simmering rivalry, and plenty of drama. That’s why we love this game, I guess. Even when it breaks your heart.