WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) 鈥� Ryan Fox arrived back in New Zealand on Friday after carrying the -winner’s claret jug from one side of the world to the other, hankering for some sleep and a gourmet pie.
Fox was embraced at Auckland airport by his father, former All Blacks rugby player Grant Fox, as he arrived with his wife Anneke and two children. Fox birdied the final hole at Royal Birkdale last Sunday for .
鈥淚t鈥檚 good to be back,鈥� he said.
A few hours later, media found the 39-year-old Fox at his local bakery, enjoying his favorite steak, bacon, jam and cheese pie. He hopes in coming days to able to show off his trophy to New Zealand, to get in some fishing and maybe a round of
But first, sleep. Fox has had a hectic schedule of travel and interviews since his win.
鈥淚 had a glass of wine, took a couple of sleeping pills and had more sleep last night than I鈥檝e had the last four nights. It鈥檚 nice,” Fox said. “I鈥檓 sure jetlag鈥檚 going to get me and I feel like I鈥檓 going to be pulled in every direction possible over the next 10 days or so we鈥檙e home. It鈥檚 definitely nice to be home.
鈥淚鈥檝e got the golf clubs. We鈥檒l see how it goes over the next couple of days. I鈥檇 like to catch up and play with some mates. I’ve had a look at the forecast and it doesn鈥檛 look real good over the next little while. I don鈥檛 want to play golf in the rain if I have to. But I鈥檇 like to get out on the course.”
Fox hopes to be able to thank New Zealanders and others for their support.
鈥淭he support鈥檚 been unbelievable, to be honest; I can鈥檛 thank people enough,” he said.
Two-time US PGA Championship-winner “reached out and said, remember all the little things because they鈥檙e great to draw back on when you really need it.
鈥淗aving someone who has gone through that 鈥� winning a major, accomplishing some dreams and then going through some down times as well,鈥� Fox added. “I can imagine being able to draw on that is really important and a good nugget of advice.鈥�
___
AP golf:
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
