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Kim Si-woo finished in the top 10 at The Open, the season's final major. Ryan Fox of New Zealand claimed the Claret Jug, becoming the first New Zealander to do so in 63 years.
In the final fourth round held on July 19 (local time) at Royal Birkdale Golf Club (par 70) in Southport, England, Kim carded a 2-over-par 72 with two birdies and four bogeys. Finishing at a total of 6-under-par 274, Kim tied for sixth.
Starting the day tied for second, two strokes off the lead, Kim seized back-to-back birdies at the front-nine's fifth and sixth holes (both par 4) to briefly take the outright lead by one stroke. As his rivals struggled, expectations rose for Kim to become the first Asian player to win The Open.
But Kim faltered on the back nine. Consecutive bogeys at the 11th (par 4) and 12th holes (par 3) dropped him from the lead, and he lost a stroke each at the 16th and 18th holes (both par 4).
Though Kim failed to win, he set his best-ever finish at The Open. His previous best was a tie for 15th in 2022.
The title went to Fox, who added a 2-under-par (five birdies, three bogeys) that day. At a total of 10-under-par 270, he edged out runner-up Cameron Young (U.S., 9-under-par 271) by one stroke. Fox is the second New Zealander to win The Open, after Bob Charles in 1963. Currently ranked 56th in the world, Fox is the lowest-ranked champion since Darren Clarke (Northern Ireland), who was ranked 111th when he won in 2011. The winner's prize was $3.2 million (about 4.78 billion won).
Starting tied for second, two strokes off the lead, Fox appeared to fall out of contention as he lost a stroke through the 11th hole. But he showed his closing strength, shaving three strokes over the final six holes. In particular, tied with Young, who had finished earlier, Fox landed his second shot within about 3 meters of the hole at the final 18th hole (par 4) and sank a dramatic birdie to seal the victory. The gallery erupted in cheers.
Sam Burns (U.S.) placed third at 8-under-par, while world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (U.S.) and Tommy Fleetwood (England), backed by fervent home fans, tied for fourth at 7-under-par. Im Sung-jae finished tied for 14th at 4-under-par alongside Bryson DeChambeau (U.S.).
