SerpApi.Org
Ryan Fox was due to board a flight back to Florida at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, but that ticket will not be used after he won The Open Championship on Sunday.
The New Zealander birdied the 72nd hole at Royal Birkdale to beat Cam Young by one and win the Claret Jug. It is the 39-year-old's first major title, and he plans to celebrate his career-defining moment in style.
While proudly holding the iconic trophy at the conclusion of his champion's press conference, Fox told reporters: "There's going to be some red wine in here, I can tell you that."
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As for his journey home to his wife, Anneke, and their daughters, Isobel and Margot, Fox admitted they will have to wait a little longer to be reunited. "I'm supposed to be flying 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. That might change," he said with a cheeky grin.
Fox surged into contention with an eight-under-par 62 on Saturday, matching the lowest score in major championship history to play his way into the final group alongside Sam Burns.
But it was Young who set an imposing clubhouse lead, going out early and firing a 64 to reach nine under for the week. Fox appeared to be driving away with bogeys either side of the turn.
He got back in the hunt with a birdie at 13, and although he dropped a shot at the perilous par-three 15th, it could have been much worse after drawing a horrendous lie in the bunker.
Fox rallied with a birdie at 16 before producing the most important shots of his life at the last, splitting the fairway with his drive before striking a sensational approach to leave a 12-foot birdie putt for the championship.
"I'm not sure how I hit the putt," he admitted. "My hands were all over the place. I was just trying to get it towards the hole somewhere. It's surreal that it went in. Champion Golfer of the Year has got a pretty good ring to it.
"You do dream of this moment. I don't know whether I ever thought it was going to become a reality. Now it is, and to have my name etched in the history of the game is pretty awesome. I think it's pretty awesome for New Zealand as well. It's going to be big down there.
"I appreciate all the support from down there at home. It's going to be a lot of people pretty sad Monday morning at work after staying up all night to watch. I'm glad it was worthwhile for them."
