Monday, July 20, 2026 Balls & Bogeys Golf News Edition
Photo: AFP / JIJI
Ryan Fox punches back, wins Open Championship at Birkdale with knockout birdie
Per Brentley Romine / Golf Channel: “Royal Birkdale’s par-4 finishing hole yielded just nine birdies all weekend at the 154th Open Championship. The last of that bunch came with a Claret Jug…”
B&B POV: Ryan Fox etched his name into golfing history, capturing the Open Championship with fearless shot-making and clutch putting.
His ability to stay focused on Sunday with nervy chaos happening all around him was remarkable. His victory made him the first New Zealander since lefty Bob Charles’ iconic 1963 triumph to claim the Claret Jug.
Photo: Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images
Bryson DeChambeau gets brutal ‘cheat’ dig at The Open after Rory McIlroy tears into him
Per Daniel Blackham and Kieran Horn / Mirror: “A spectator at The Open called Bryson DeChambeau a “cheat” as he prepared to putt at the 18th hole on Saturday. The American has been at the forefront of headlines after being hit with a two-shot penalty for improving his lie in the second round…”
B&B POV: Bryson DeChambeau’s Open Championship ended amid Patrick Reed-level controversy after a two-shot penalty for improving his lie ignited debate. Rory McIlroy even weighed in, saying Bryson “held the Open hostage” by delaying a decision. The whole episode was awkward, unnecessary, and, well… Bryson being Bryson.
Photo: Olivier Chassignole / AFP via Getty Images
Winners, Losers & Payouts: Ryan Fox Claims the Claret Jug, Royal Birkdale Delivers, and the Player of the Year Race Just Got Interesting
Per Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys: If every major championship looked like this, golf fans would have absolutely nothing to complain about four Sundays every year…which, of course, means we’d just find something else.
Royal Birkdale gave us everything. Eagles under immense pressure. Heartbreaking quads and worse. Million-dollar swings. Redemption. Possibly a little “cheating.” A leaderboard loaded with stars. Several jaw-dropping rounds of 62. And enough Sunday drama to remind everyone why The Open Championship remains golf’s greatest test…
2026 The Open Championship prize money payouts:
Sam Burns, -8, $1,181,000
Ryan Fox -10, $3,200,000
Cameron Young, -9, $1,842,000
Photo: Getty Images
Ryan Fox WITB 2026: Clubs Used to Win The Open Championship
Per Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys: Ryan Fox is officially a major champion. He didn’t just survive Sunday at Royal Birkdale—he owned it. The New Zealander fired a final-round 68, birdied four of his last six holes, and buried one more on the 72nd to edge Cameron Young by a shot and capture his first major championship.
If you missed the final stretch, watch his finish here.
Known as one of the longest hitters on Tour, Fox relied on a bag full of Srixon and Cleveland equipment, highlighted by a prototype Srixon driver, a blended set of ZXi irons, and a Ping Anser 2D putter that stayed hot throughout the week.
Driver: Srixon ZXi RKT LS+ Prototype (10.5°)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black TR 6 TX
Putter: Ping Anser 2D – Shop Now
Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images
DP World rookie Stefano Mazzoli wins 2026 Corales Puntacana in just third PGA Tour start
Per Todd Kelly / Golfweek: “The 2026 Corales Puntacana Championship, the final opposite-field event on the PGA Tour’s calendar this year, was a great chance for all those not in The Open to notch a victory and earn a coveted two-year exemption…”
B&B POV: While the world’s biggest stars battled for the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale, the Corales Puntacana Championship gave lesser-known pros a golden opportunity. Italy’s Stefano Mazzoli birdied the final hole to earn his first PGA TOUR-sanctioned victory and a 2027 PGA TOUR card. The kid has game, and the next time he tees it up in a tour event, we’ll know his name.
LESSON OF THE WEEK
Rory McIlroy’s Biggest DRIVING SECRETS!
The guys over at Me and My Golf YouTube channel spent some time with Rory McIlroy and uncovered some of his biggest driving secrets.
YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS...
Big fan of Fox’s pace of play.
Things you just can’t make up. Don’t miss these random nuggets of gold we found on the interwebs. You’re welcome.
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