Scottie Scheffler's late rally falls short at British Open 2026

Scottie Scheffler nearly pulled off a dramatic comeback at the 2026 British Open, but his final-round 67 left him two shots behind winner Ryan Fox. The American finished tied for fourth at Royal Birkdale, sharing the spot with hometown favorite Tommy Fleetwood.

What happened in the final round?

Fox, the 39-year-old son of an All Blacks rugby player, sealed his first major title with a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. His 2-under 68 gave him a one-shot victory over Cameron Young, who had briefly led the tournament. Scheffler, who had been as many as five shots back earlier in the day, made a late charge with birdies on the 15th and 16th holes. However, he couldn’t convert on the final hole to force a playoff.

Why it matters for Scottie Scheffler

This was Scheffler’s second top-five finish in a major this year, following his runner-up performance at the Masters. Despite the disappointment, his resilience in the final round-where he overcame two bad bounces-showed his ability to compete under pressure. The result keeps him in contention for the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year award.

What comes next for Scheffler?

Scheffler will now turn his attention to the PGA Championship, where he’ll look to build on his strong form. His performance at Royal Birkdale, despite falling short, reinforced his status as one of the game’s most consistent players. With two more majors left in the season, he’ll have further opportunities to add to his growing legacy.