Traveling with one of sports’ most iconic trophies presents unique challenges. Ryan Fox, the Champion Golfer of the Year, learned this while trying to board a commercial flight with the Claret Jug after winning The Open at Royal Birkdale.
The morning after his major victory was hectic. Adding to his stress was dealing with airport procedures. After his win, Fox took a plane from Manchester to London before heading home from Heathrow Airport.
At security, Fox encountered the task of getting the trophy, placed in a protective case, onto the plane as a carry-on instead of gate-checking it. Fox shared this experience during an appearance on ‘The Smylie Show.’
“I meekly got up to the check-in agent with these two boxes and go, ‘So, yeah, I’ve got some special cargo here, is there any chance I can just take these on the plane?'” Fox recalled. “She goes, ‘What’s in it?’ You know, 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.'”
Many travelers recognized Fox at the airport, which likely helped in getting the Claret Jug on board as carry-on luggage.
Making the situation more unique, Fox was seated directly behind Cameron Young on the flight. Young was the runner-up at Birkdale, following Fox’s birdie on the final hole.
Mark Harris is a writer for OutKick.
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