2005 U.S. Open Champion Michael Campbell believes Ryan Fox’s dramatic Open Championship victory will inspire the next generation of New Zealand golfers, after watching his compatriot produce a fearless finish to claim his first Major title.

Campbell praised Fox’s aggressive approach to the closing hole, believing it perfectly reflected the style of golf that has taken him to the top of the game.

“The way he played the last hole was so impressive. You’ve got one of the hardest finishing holes in Open history. He pumps the drive down there, hits a wonderful shot to 11 feet and holes the putt for birdie.

With Cameron Young already in the clubhouse at nine-under after a brilliant final-round 64, Fox only needed a par at the last to force a play-off. Campbell believes many players would have chosen the conservative option, but Fox stayed true to his attacking style.

“You could have hit two iron and maybe made 69, but he got aggressive and it paid off. It really suits his personality. He’s a very aggressive player, so I think it really matched the way he played it. My Lord, that was just incredible golf.”

Watching Fox lift the Claret Jug also brought back memories of Campbell’s own Major breakthrough at the 2005 U.S. Open, although he noted the two victories unfolded in very different ways.

“Watching Ryan win The Open was phenomenal. It brought back a lot of memories for me when I won my U.S. Open back in 2005.

“I was defending my lead, one or two shots ahead of Tiger with nine holes to play, whereas Foxy was chasing the leaders. But to birdie the final hole and win The Open like that, you can’t get better than that.”

Campbell believes Fox’s journey to becoming a Major champion is proof that success can come at any stage of a career.

“He joined the European Tour when he was 30, the PGA Tour when he was 37 and won a Major at 39.

“So it goes to show that anything’s possible. If you dream and believe, it comes true. If I can do it, and Ryan Fox can do it, so can you guys. Anything’s possible.”

Fox’s victory also marked another historic milestone for New Zealand golf. Sir Bob Charles became the country’s first male Major champion when he won The Open in 1963, Campbell followed with victory at the U.S. Open in 2005, and Fox has now become the third New Zealand man to win a Major Championship. New Zealand’s remarkable golfing success has also been driven by Lydia Ko, a three-time Major champion whose victories came at the 2015 Evian Championship, the 2016 ANA Inspiration and the 2024 AIG Women’s Open.

While Campbell acknowledged the rewards that come with winning a Major, he believes Fox’s mentality will be key as expectations inevitably grow.

“Winning a Major is life-changing. He’s got a five-year exemption to Augusta, five years to the U.S. Open, five years to the USPGA and a five-year exemption to the PGA Tour. He’s set, man. He’s really ready. He’s good for the next 10 years or so.

“But the most important thing is to keep grounded because the expectation is going to be higher, the pressure’s going to be higher, but his character, he can handle that, I think. He’s very strong, very determined, and I’m sure he’d be fine.”

Campbell also believes Fox’s victory will have an impact well beyond the professional game.

“Imagine right now all the kids back home running around playing golf. He’s a true inspiration for the young generation back home.”

Campbell is among a world-class field teeing it up this week at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Gleneagles, alongside eight-time DP World Tour No.1 and Ryder Cup-winning captain Colin Montgomerie, 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie, 2014 Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley, who famously led Europe to victory at Gleneagles, and 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson, as well as a host of DP World and Legends Tour winners.

Tickets are still available to purchase here, while fans can click here to follow the latest leaderboard and see how the championship unfolds.

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