Ryan Fox’s Journey with the Claret Jug

Traveling with a famous sports trophy poses challenges. Ryan Fox, the Champion Golfer of the Year, experienced this first-hand when trying to travel with the Claret Jug after winning The Open at Royal Birkdale.

The morning after becoming a major champion is hectic. Dealing with airport procedures only adds stress. On the Monday following Fox’s triumph, the New Zealander flew from Manchester to London before heading home from Heathrow Airport.

After passing through security with the Claret Jug in a protective case, Fox reached his departure gate. There, he faced the challenge of bringing the trophy on the plane as a carry-on rather than checking it at the gate. Handing over golf’s oldest trophy to an unknown airline worker was not preferable, even for a short flight.

During ‘The Smylie Show,’ Fox described how he addressed this with the gate agent. “I meekly got up to the check-in agent with these two boxes and said, ‘I’ve got some special cargo here. Is there any chance I can take these on the plane?'” recalled Fox.

“She goes, ‘What’s in it?’ I’m like, ‘The Claret Jug, it’s the oldest trophy in golf.’ [She says] ‘Did you win it?’ I’m like, ‘Uh, yeah. Can I just take it through?’ She’s like, ‘Yep, no problem.'”

Fox’s interaction with the gate agent was aided by other travelers recognizing him during security checks. This unique scenario continued on the plane, where Fox sat directly behind Cameron Young. Young finished second at Birkdale, narrowly missing out on victory after Fox’s birdie on the 72nd hole.