New Zealand's fearless Fox wins British Open thriller at final hole

SOUTHPORT, England, July 19 : Ryan Fox stayed ice cool at the end of four long and hot days at Royal Birkdale to sink a birdie putt on the 18th and win the 154th British Open by one stroke on Sunday.

Fox was level with long-time clubhouse leader Cameron Young on nine under heading down the last but played a stunning approach shot and then held his nerve to roll in a 12-footer.

The 39-year-old is only the second New Zealand man to win the Open, following Bob Charles in 1963 at Royal Lytham, and the third to win a major after Michael Campbell's 2005 U.S. Open.

His final round 68 gave him a total of 270, with Young, who carded a stunning final-round 64, on 271.

American Sam Burns, the overnight leader, could only manage a two-over 72 as he finished third on eight under par.

"Oh, wow. I don't really know what to think at the moment," Fox, son of former New Zealand rugby great Grant, said after being presented with the Claret Jug.

"I've got a lot of people to thank. First of all, my family, my wife and kids are in Florida at the moment. I spoke to my kids last night, and they said, bring back a trophy.

"I think this is a pretty cool one to bring back for them."

A compelling final day on the Irish Sea just north of Liverpool began with Burns on top of a tightly-packed leaderboard by two strokes.

BLASTED INTO CONTENTION

But as he and the various challengers first threatened and then fell away in a roller-coaster finale over the dunes, it looked as though Young's 64 would prove decisive.

Young, who began the day in a tie for 20th, had finished two hours earlier and was hitting balls on the range as a first Open playoff since 2015 looked increasingly likely.

Fox blasted into contention with a men's major record-equalling 62 on Saturday - the