358: Champion Golfer of the Year Ryan Fox On Winning The Open + Check or Carry On the Claret Jug???
Podcast: The Smylie ShowPublished On: Thu Jul 23 2026
Description: Fresh off a thrilling finish at Royal Birkdale which saw him hoist the Claret Jug, Ryan Fox joins Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme to relive his first major win at the 2026 Open Championship — only the fourth Kiwi to win a major, and the first to bring the Claret Jug home to New Zealand since Bob Charles in 1963. Fox walks through his major championship record-tying 62 on Saturday (and the improbable fairway bunker shot on 18 that capped it off), the driver decision on the 13th that swung his Sunday momentum, an incredible approach at 16, and the nerves he felt reading the winning birdie putt on 18.Plus: A brand new Srixon driver responsible for some of the most clutch shots he hit all week + the Z-STAR ball that gave him an edge over the rest of the field in the windy conditions, his dad Grant Fox's legendary All Blacks career and 1987 Rugby World Cup win, New Zealand's golf course boom, whether a PGA Tour event or Presidents Cup could ever land in New Zealand, and a detour into Fox's Bordeaux-heavy wine cellar.Before all that: the saga of getting the real and replica Claret Jugs through airport security and onto the flight home — including an awkward moment in line next to runner-up Cameron Young.Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and follow us on socials @thesmylieshow!Chapters0:00 Intro & Ryan Fox's dad, All Blacks legend Grant Fox2:39 Has life changed since becoming Champion Golfer of the Year?3:39 New Zealand's 4th major champion & ending a 63-year Claret Jug drought4:29 The Claret Jug's wild flight home9:19 Echoes of Hideki Matsuyama's Masters travels10:19 Friday's grind just to make the cut12:12 Saturday's record-tying 6213:14 The bunker shot and putt that closed out the 6218:29 The 13th hole driver gamble and riding the wave of momentum23:24 The approach at 16 and feeling the crowd's energy29:03 Composure and nerves on the 18th green32:45 The backstory on Ryan's putter34:42 No snakes in New Zealand???35:57 The 2014 Muriwai Open and New Zealand's links golf38:00 The 2021 Muriwai win with Steve Williams caddying39:48 Touring New Zealand's booming golf course scene42:50 Could the PGA Tour — or a Presidents Cup — come to New Zealand?46:25 Wine talk: Bordeaux, Hawke's Bay, and the Claret Jug48:23 Sign-off
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