Ryan Fox Claims Open Championship, Withdraws from 3M Open, Sees Market Value Rise

Ryan Fox, 39, captured his inaugural major championship at The Open Championship, marking his third career PGA Tour victory. Entering the event ranked 55th in the Official World Golf Rankings, Fox became the lowest-ranked Open winner since Darren Clarke in 2011. His previous best major finish was a tie for 16th across 28 starts, with a T19 at last year's U.S. Open. Fox mounted a significant comeback at Royal Birkdale, starting the tournament tied for 85th and seven strokes back after an opening-round 72, ultimately posting a 62 on Saturday en route to his one-shot victory over contenders like Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns.

Fox's journey to major champion status has been a long one. He is considered a late bloomer in professional golf, having not played competitively until age 17 and winning his first PGA Tour event at 38. His career path included stints on the DP World Tour, Challenge Tour, and Australian Tour. During his second year on the PGA Tour of Australasia, facing the prospect of losing his card, Fox admitted he nearly retired from the sport. His father, Grant Fox, a former All Blacks rugby player, caddied for him at the Australian Masters during that period, prompting a reflection on why he played the game.

Following his Open Championship triumph, Fox withdrew from the upcoming 3M Open, a common decision for major winners. This mirrors instances such as Aaron Rai withdrawing from the Byron Nelson CJ Cup after his major win, and Rory McIlroy pulling out of the RBC Heritage after securing his second consecutive Masters title. In contrast, Wyndham Clark chose to play in the Travelers Championship after winning the U.S. Open. Fox's victory has significantly impacted his standing, elevating him to 22nd in the Official World Golf Ranking, granting him greater flexibility in his tournament schedule.

The reshuffling of the 3M Open field also saw Stefano Mazzoli added after his recent win at the Corales Puntacana Championship, which earned him full PGA Tour membership. Fox's market value has seen a notable shift, with his odds for the Masters Tournament now standing at +17500 (FanDuel). This places him among other notable players, including Tommy Fleetwood at +2500 (Bovada), Sam Burns at +4000 (Bovada), and Wyndham Clark at +6000 (FanDuel). Aaron Rai is currently listed at +15000 (FanDuel) for the Masters, while Lucas Herbert holds odds of +2200 (Bovada) for a UK event. Rory McIlroy, a perennial favorite, is priced at +750 (FanDuel) for the Masters, and Stefano Mazzoli is a longshot at +35000 (Bovada) for the 3M Open.