Ryan Fox holds the Claret Jug after becoming only the third male golfer from New Zealand to win a major championship. Photo: AFP
Ryan Fox said winning The Open Championship is something he "would have killed" for when battling just to make it as a golf pro, but he may not even be the best sportsman in his family.
The third New Zealander to win a men's Major is the son of former All Black Grant Fox, who won the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987. His maternal grandfather, Merv Wallace, captained and coached the New Zealand cricket team.
"I don't know if this tops their achievements, but it's certainly right up there," Fox said, after his shock breakthrough at Royal Birkdale. "I guess there's no pressure on my kids going forward now!"
The 39-year-old had never even cracked the Top 10 of a Major before this week, but has bucked the general pattern in golf by succeeding as a late bloomer.
