'Craziness': Ryan Fox shares wild details of post-Open flight with 2 Claret Jugs

Ryan Fox’s breakthrough victory at the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale was a career-defining moment, but the immediate aftermath turned into a logistical whirlwind that the golfer described as 'craziness.' Following a night of intense celebrations that lasted until the early hours, Fox found himself facing the daunting task of traveling back home to Florida with two major trophies in tow: the original Claret Jug and the official replica. The challenges began long before he reached the departure gate, as Fox had virtually no sleep before his early morning departure from his rental house at Birkdale at 4:15 a.m. During his press conference ahead of the BMW Championship, Fox reflected on the surreal nature of the trip. One of the most unexpected moments occurred at the airport, where the first person he encountered in line was none other than Cameron Young. The pair had been locked in a tense battle until the final holes, where Fox’s birdie barrage at Royal Birkdale ultimately edged out Young’s stunning final-round 64. Seeing Young in the airport queue left Fox feeling slightly guilty, yet he noted that Young was 'brilliant,' and the two managed to have a friendly interaction despite the circumstances. The journey became further complicated at the check-in desk, where the staff was unfamiliar with the Claret Jug or the significance of the British Open trophy. Fox had to patiently explain the value of the items and why they could not be checked as standard luggage. Once cleared for travel, the struggle shifted to the cabin, where Fox attempted to fit two large, heavy protective cases into the overhead bins without bothering fellow travelers—a task that proved difficult while he was physically and mentally exhausted. The ordeal did not end upon landing in Miami, where a final, grueling 90-minute drive to his home in Jupiter awaited him after only two hours of sleep on the transatlantic flight. This post-Open adventure was followed by a return to his home country of New Zealand, where he was celebrated as a conquering hero. Despite the exhausting travel and the heavy toll of post-victory festivities, Fox remains focused on the remainder of the season. Entering the BMW Championship ranked 25th in the FedEx Cup standings, he is now well-positioned to secure a spot in the season-ending Tour Championship, proving that he can handle pressure both on and off the course.