With his aggressive style and growing major experience, Ryan Fox drew interest from bettors hoping he’d survive the cut at Royal Troon. But was the faith placed in him justified?
The British Open at Royal Troon held the promise of another classic links golf challenge. For Ryan Fox of New Zealand, the event was an opportunity to leave a mark at one of the greatest events in the game. In the eyes of fans and bettors, Fox’s bid came down in heartbreak fashion, coming just short of the cut. After back-to-back appearances at the majors and a reputation for being tough in tricky conditions, Ryan Fox entered the 2025 British Open with cautious optimism.
Who Piled On the Kiwi for the Cut?
Betting action surrounding Ryan Fox was pretty even. Leverage guys like “make the cut” bets as the underdog story, while the sharp guys like to look at the numbers. Fox’s majors history and playing style are growing in credibility. Punter enthusiasm ran rife across markets, particularly those with increased cut-line markets and low minimum entry bets. The punting public was upbeat, though cautiously so. Even some operators were providing boosted odds specials for the likes of Fox, hoping to tempt casual fans off the fences.
Incentives were made all the more appealing when signing up with bet365, with two offers to choose from. Where several markets allowed new customers to oppose less-popular competitors like Fox at enhanced odds. This was a gentle acknowledgement of the way bookies understood genuine interest was gathering pace around the Kiwis’ prospects.
Breaking Down the Pre-Tournament Odds and Market Movement
Heading into Royal Troon, Ryan Fox wasn’t considered among the favorites, but his odds to make the cut were respectable. His performance at prior Open Championships—where he’s had mixed results—meant the betting markets positioned him as a mid-tier option, a viable punt for those looking for value.
Fox’s progressive form on the PGA and DP World Tours managed to ease his pre-tournament price down in the run-up to the opening day. With majors winners like Matt Fitzpatrick grabbing the headlines, Fox went under the radar, yet astute punters noted his links credentials and regular top-30 finishes in the previous campaign.
Fox’s Recent Form Heading into Royal Troon
Fox came into the Open off the back of a pretty good season, with recent wins at the OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic and the RBC Canadian Open being highlights. His game seemed well-honed, with glimpses of greatness at earlier summer tournaments. But the lead-up to Royal Troon showcased a player struggling with rhythm in the short game—a commodity that would prove crucial at Scottish links.
Despite the misgivings, Fox’s past success at the Open Championships, with a top-20 finish in 2022, had boosted supporters. He had demonstrated before that he could handle challenging fairways and fight against strong winds and his mental strength under tremendous pressure was part of his charm. All those factors bred optimism, but golf is the game of inches and sometimes even good preparation is not enough to tip over the line.
How Ryan Fox’s Game Matches the Demands of The Open
Royal Troon requires precision, flexibility and patience. This is no course for pure brute strength. Though Ryan Fox’s work off the tee is a strength of his game, the course punishes loose shots severely with pot bunkers, thick fescue and erratic bounces.
Gaining distance put him in a position to shorten the longer, more difficult holes, particularly in peaceful conditions. But the Open is never calm. An errant drive is terminal in windy conditions, where Fox’s problems began. His putter, usually characterized as streaky, was bound to be tested at Troon’s fast greens. It was, ultimately, a combination of small errors in execution and poor timing that would see his weekend hopes slip away.
Did the Bet Pay Off — and What It Means Going Forward
As the second day came down the home stretch, the cut line was at +5. Ryan Fox stood in a position where he required a par at the 18th to remain in the championship. What ensued was the type of heartbreak that is reserved for the Open.
Fox’s approach carried the green following a good drive and his chip was short. With a 10-foot putt for par—and the weekend—he narrowly came up short. The bogey put him at +6, one stroke back of the cut. Video of the moment caught Fox appearing tearful as he left the green, mindful of how close the margin had been. Commentators and spectators alike could not help but feel for his disappointment, given how far back he had recovered in the second round.
A Brief Commentary on the Function of Sports Betting
This growing popularity of online sporting bets, especially during golf majors, has revitalized the way fans follow tournaments. Bets made on cut lines, round leaders and head-to-head encounters add more tension and thrills to the broadcast even when the favorite is not playing.
As Kiwis and punters around the globe get accustomed to the online sportsbook action, events like The Open create an ideal opportunity for participation. Betting responsibly is a way to increase the drama and heighten the peaks and valleys of a competition. Ryan Fox’s closing hole at Troon was much more compelling for those with a vested interest.
