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Ryan Fox’s caddie earned a solid chunk of money thanks to the 39-year-old’s success at Royal Birkdale.
The Open Championship had a total purse of $17.75 million, and with Fox earning $3.2 million, it was the biggest winner's check in championship history. The three-time PGA Tour champion proclaimed victory on the 18th green, where he sank an 11-foot putt for birdie and his pace of play was brought to light.
The first place prize increased $750,000 from last year, but it was still the lowest amount offered compared to the other three majors of the 2026 season.
None of that mattered to Fox though, who was in shock after the leaderboard was finalized as he held his head in his hands in the recorder's tent and followed it up with a call to family.
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He was more interested in writing his name in the history books after earning the Claret Jug, and of course he celebrated with his caddie who earned a piece of the prize for the duo’s work in Southport, England.
It is the usual that winners of tournaments generally give their caddies 10% of their prize money, and with Fox prevailing with four birdies on the back-nine during the final round, it’s nearly guaranteed his caddie will go home with that amount.
If he plays by that rule, his caddie, Dean Smith, earned $320,000.
In 2025, Scottie Scheffler claimed $3.1 million for his victory, and his caddie Ted Scott would have most likely received $310,000. But, Fox lost a solid chunk of his prizes thanks to the tax monster and my research online, as he gave up 45 percent of his paycheck and took home just $1,760,000 of the initial $3,200,000.
Referring to his reaction to the win, Fox was unfazed by the amount of money he would or wouldn’t be taking home.
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“It's unbelievable, to be honest. I still don't know what to think,” said Fox after the win. “My nerves are all over the place. I'm not quite sure how I hit that putt on 18. Look, it is a dream come true.
“Looking at that trophy now, it's the first time I've seen it up close. So it's pretty amazing.”
Fox was the second ever New Zealander to earn the trophy and he left Cameron Young waiting for a playoff in case he carded par on the final hole.
