Watch: Ryan Fox brings Claret Jug home - First family ... then a pie

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Author: NZ Herald ,
Publish Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2026, 7:32am

Ryan Fox has brought the Claret Jug back to New Zealand following his triumph at the Open Championship on Monday, with plans to show it off to the Kiwi public.

Fox and his family landed at Auckland Airport this morning as he takes three weeks off from golf after his maiden major victory at Royal Birkdale.

“It’s good to be back,” he said.

“We made a last-minute decision to come home and celebrate with friends and family while it’s still fresh. I’m definitely not fresh at the moment, as you can tell, but I’m excited to be home and after we spend some time with family, looking forward to showing this off a little bit.”

Plans are in place for a public appearance next week.

First on Fox’s mind was spending time with family and getting hold of a steak, bacon, jam and cheese pie from his local bakery.

“Had a glass of wine, took a couple of sleeping pills and had more sleep last night than I’ve had the last four nights. It’s nice. I’m sure jetlag’s going to get me and I feel like I’m going to be pulled in every direction possible over the next 10 days or so we’re home. It’s definitely nice to be home.

Open Championship winner Ryan Fox hugs his father Grant Fox after landing in Auckland. Photo / Michael Craig

“Just spend time with mum and dad. I’ll get the trophy out of the case and show it off. Probably wouldn’t mind a pie, to be honest.

“I’ve got the golf clubs. We’ll see how it goes over the next couple of days. I’d like to catch up and play with some mates. Have had a look at the forecast and it doesn’t look real good over the next little while. I don’t want to play golf in the rain if I have to. But I’d like to get out on the course.

“Hopefully can do a couple of normal things as well. I would like to go fishing but I think the weather forecast is going to kill that too.”

Fox said two-time major winner Justin Thomas sent him some great advice following the win, which he secured with a birdie at the 18th hole.

“The support’s been unbelievable, to be honest; I can’t thank people enough. Justin Thomas reached out and said, remember all the little things because they’re great to draw back on when you really need it. Having someone who has gone through that - winning a major, accomplishing some dreams and then going through some downtimes as well. I can imagine being able to draw on that is really important and a good nugget of advice.”