Observations from Sunday at Birkdale 1. Have always been a big Ryan Fox fan and it was fun to see others see what we have seen for a long time. A hard-working, laid back, engaging guy with a fast, aggressive and high-ceiling game. An amazing round culminating in the final hole of major golf this year being the best single hole played in a major this year. I thought the drive was the key shot and it was simply perfect. Been a while since I've heard a reaction like that at an Open. It was great. 2. I walked 11 holes with Cam Young. Saw his start and thought it could be a historic day. He was immense. The ball striking is elite, especially off the tee. I noticed he spent so much of the day walking alone, not even with his caddie. So I asked him after about it. "I was counting breaths", he said. A mental trick he's begun using to quieten his mind. Found that fascinating. 3. I thought the R&A did an amazing job with the set-up all week. Firm, fast, challenging and yet playable and scoreable greens. Pin positions were really clever all week and tested the world's best yet allowed there for three 62s, Fox's run and countless stretches by Tommy, Scottie etc where they got hot and hit the shots. 4. A perfect summary of the R&A and the tradition was when I asked them for help on a stat about Sam Burns. The R&A stats guy brought out a handwritten notebook that had every detail of every Open... dating back to 1860! We got the answer within minutes and I left both amazed and concerned that a stray cigarette could destroy some key records, haha. 5. I played Formby Ladies in the morning on Sunday. 5,500 hards and we got round in less than 2.5 hours as a three-ball. What a joy of a course and unlike any other course I've played in England. Highly recommend. 6. Each hole at Royal Birkdale was marshalled by nearby clubs. Their names displayed on the stakes that held the rope lines. The 14th was Formby and Formby Ladies. Had a good chat a female member there as I walked with Cam. 7. I was given some tickets to give away for Sunday and met Danny, his wife and daughter (neither of whom had been to a golf tournament before). They were lovely and had a blast, and made me think about how local and family-orientated The Open has become. Different from the US majors, and I think it's part of the reason the crowds are polite and educated on golf. These are golf fans and not simply sports fans or folks that want to attend events and take selfies. It shows in the feeling and ovations on-site. 8. The Claret Jug is such a great and unique prize in the sport. Watching Foxy walk into the press conference after the round, put down the jug and gaze at it was special. The story of how the trophy came to be is wild too, but it's a great part and symbol of The Open. 9. I think I, and many people, will leave with a much better understanding of Birkdale. Such an privilege to walk inside the ropes and watch the world's best golfers attack one of the world's best golf courses. A highly strategic, exceptionally well bunkered course weaves across and through an amazing dune scape. An iconic clubhouse, great closing stretch and yet another great Open.