Ryan Fox has officially etched his name into golf history.

The 39-year-old New Zealander claimed his first major championship by winning The 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, delivering a clutch birdie on the 72nd hole to secure the coveted Claret Jug. In doing so, Fox became just the second New Zealander to win The Open Championship and only the fourth Kiwi to capture a men’s major championship, adding another remarkable chapter to New Zealand golf history.

Known throughout his career as one of the longest hitters in professional golf, Fox showcased far more than power during Open week. He combined precision iron play, exceptional course management, and a red-hot putter to navigate the demanding links conditions. His performance on the greens proved especially decisive, ranking among the tournament’s best in putting during the weekend as he held off a world-class field.

New Equipment Pays Immediate Dividends

Perhaps one of the most interesting storylines was that Fox entered The Open with several new clubs in the bag. Just before Royal Birkdale, he switched into Srixon’s newest ZXi RKT LS+ driver along with the matching ZXi RKT 3-wood, replacing clubs that had been in his setup for much of the season. The changes immediately paid off, providing the penetrating ball flight and control that proved invaluable on the firm, windswept links.

He also added a Srixon ZXi5+ utility iron, giving him another reliable option off the tee and into long par-4s where precision outweighed sheer distance.

Ryan Fox’s Winning Equipment

Driver

• Srixon ZXi RKT LS+ (10.5°)
• Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X shaft

Fairway Wood

• Srixon ZXi RKT 3-wood (15°)
• Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X shaft

Utility Iron

• Srixon ZXi5+ 3-iron (20°)
• Fujikura Ventus Blue HB 9 X shaft

Irons

• Srixon ZXi5 4-iron
• Srixon ZXi7 (5-PW)
• True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

Wedges

• Cleveland RTZ Tour Rack
• 50°, 56°, and 60°

Putter

• Ping Anser 2.0 blade

Golf Ball

• Srixon Z-Star XV

A Modern Mixed Bag

Fox’s equipment setup perfectly illustrates today’s professional game. While his bag is dominated by Srixon and Cleveland products, he trusts a Ping Anser 2.0 putter—the lone club from another manufacturer. That combination proved to be championship-worthy.

His Srixon woods delivered consistent driving performance throughout the week, while the ZXi irons provided the shot-making control necessary for Royal Birkdale’s demanding approach shots. Around the greens, Cleveland’s RTZ Tour Rack wedges allowed Fox to save critical pars, and his Ping Anser putter caught fire when it mattered most.

A Major Breakthrough

Fox has long been respected as one of the game’s most talented international players, collecting victories around the world and representing New Zealand in numerous team competitions. His powerful swing and fearless style made many believe a major championship was inevitable. At Royal Birkdale, that breakthrough finally arrived.

His victory serves as another reminder that major championships are won through complete performances—from driving and iron play to a sharp short game and confident putting. Fox displayed every one of those qualities over four demanding rounds.

With the Claret Jug now on his résumé, Ryan Fox has firmly established himself among golf’s elite, and his victory gives Srixon and Cleveland Golf another memorable major championship to celebrate.