Open champion Ryan Fox’s tribute to Shane Warne

Ryan Fox’s amazing Open Championship victory at Royal Birkdale, winning the most prestigious trophy in golf with a birdie at the final hole, was one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of the sport.

For many it also recalled memories of a special moment, dating back to 2022, when New Zealander Fox made one of his biggest breakthroughs, winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

It set Ryan on the path of success which led to him winning the Claret Jug four years later. But it also showed so much more about the warmth and sensitivity of this remarkable man.

Ryan dedicated his emotional Dunhill Links victory to his late friend Shane Warne, the cricket legend who had died the previous March at the age of 52.

Warne, the former Australia bowler, was Fox’s regular amateur partner in his five previous Alfred Dunhill Links appearances.

After his victory in 2022, Ryan said: “It definitely felt as if he was with me all the way around. It means a lot to win this event, we were great mates and it’s just a shame he's not here. I really wanted to try to do something special for Warney and I'm pretty proud to have been able to accomplish that.”