Champion Golfer of the Year Ryan Fox will be aiming to top off an extraordinary 2026 when he tees it up for the Capital.com Australian Open at Kingston Heath Golf Club this December.
New Zealand’s Number One secured the biggest victory of his career at Royal Birkdale in July, a stunning birdie on the 72nd hole sealing a one-shot win for his first Major title. He will now join back-to-back Masters Champion Rory McIlroy on the famed Melbourne Sandbelt from December 4-7.
Fox will be chasing a rare piece of golfing history, looking to become the first player since American Bill Rogers in 1981 to win The Open and the Australian Open in the same calendar year. The only other members of that elite club are Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus.
The five-time DP Tour winner claimed his maiden title on golf’s Global Tour at the 2019 ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth, having graduated from the HotelPlanner Tour three years prior. He added a further two victories before securing his first Rolex Series win at the 2023 BMW PGA Championship, later earning dual membership with the PGA Tour thanks to a fifth-placed finish on that season’s Race to Dubai Delivered by DP World Rankings.
Fox first tasted success across the pond at the 2025 Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic and won his second title at the RBC Canadian Open just three starts later.
The World Number 22 will now hope to become the first from New Zealand to take home the Stonehaven Cup later this year.
“It’s been the most memorable year of my golfing career, and to finish it by coming back to Australia and playing the Australian Open is something I’m really looking forward to,” said Fox.
“Winning The Open was obviously a career highlight and something I’ll never forget, but I’ve still got plenty of motivation to finish the year strongly.
“The Australian Open is a tournament with a lot of history and one I’ve always enjoyed being part of. I love coming back to Melbourne and playing on the Sandbelt. The courses are so good, they’re a great test of golf and there’s a real passion for the game in that part of the world. Kingston Heath is a fantastic venue for an Australian Open.
“It would be pretty special to cap off what’s been an incredible year with a strong performance. I’m looking forward to getting back out there, enjoying the atmosphere and giving myself a chance to be in the finish on Sunday.”
The 39-year-old will join compatriot Daniel Hillier in pursuit of victory, with Chilean Joaquín Niemann, American Sahith Theegala, Canadian Corey Connors, Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz, Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz and Spain’s Josele Ballester also confirmed in the global field.
The Capital.com Australian Open will mark the second event on the DP World Tour’s 2027 schedule, which will open at the BMW Australian PGA Championship the week prior.
