British Open winner Ryan Fox arrives back in New Zealand, hankering for sleep and a pie

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Ryan Fox arrived back in New Zealand on Friday after carrying the British Open championship -winner's claret jug from one side of the world to the other, hankering for some sleep and a gourmet pie.

Fox was embraced at Auckland airport by his father, former All Blacks rugby player Grant Fox, as he arrived with his wife Anneke and two children. Fox birdied the final hole at Royal Birkdale last Sunday for his first major win.

“It’s good to be back,” he said.

A few hours later, media found the 39-year-old Fox at his local bakery, enjoying his favorite steak, bacon, jam and cheese pie. He hopes in coming days to able to show off his trophy to New Zealand, to get in some fishing and maybe a round of golf.

But first, sleep. Fox has had a hectic schedule of travel and interviews since his win.

“I had a glass of wine, took a couple of sleeping pills and had more sleep last night than I’ve had the last four nights. It’s nice," Fox said. "I’m sure jetlag’s going to get me and I feel like I’m going to be pulled in every direction possible over the next 10 days or so we’re home. It’s definitely nice to be home.

“I’ve got the golf clubs. We’ll see how it goes over the next couple of days. I’d like to catch up and play with some mates. I've had a look at the forecast and it doesn’t look real good over the next little while. I don’t want to play golf in the rain if I have to. But I’d like to get out on the course."

Fox hopes to be able to thank New Zealanders and others for their support.

“The support’s been unbelievable, to be honest; I can’t thank people enough," he said.

Two-time US PGA Championship-winner Justin Thomas "reached out and said, remember all the little things because they’re great to draw back on when you really need it.

“Having someone who has gone through that — winning a major, accomplishing some dreams and then going through some down times as well,” Fox added. "I can imagine being able to draw on that is really important and a good nugget of advice.”

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Ryan Fox of New Zealand celebrates on the 18th green after winning the British Open Golf championships at Royal Birkdale golf club, in Southport, England, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ryan Fox of New Zealand poses with the Claret Jug trophy in front of the club house, after winning the British Open Golf championships at Royal Birkdale golf club, in Southport, England, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Ryan Fox of New Zealand celebrates on the 18th green after winning the British Open Golf championships at Royal Birkdale golf club, in Southport, England, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ryan Fox of New Zealand kisses the Claret Jug trophy after winning the British Open Golf championships at Royal Birkdale golf club, in Southport, England, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike on Friday that helped galvanize a youth movement that's become one of India’s largest protests in recent years, but demonstrators vowed to continue until the education minister resigns.

Wangchuk’s fast became a rallying point for India’s “Cockroach” protests, which began more than a month ago demanding education reforms after alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams. Since then, the movement has tapped into broader public anger over unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunity, drawing professionals, families and activists to demonstrations in New Delhi and cities across the country.

The demonstrations have become one of the most sustained waves of public dissent against Modi’s government in recent years, with thousands returning to the streets even after police used tear gas and batons this week to disperse marchers trying to reach Parliament.

In a post on X, Wangchuk said he ended his fast in the presence of two federal ministers after appeals from dozens of members of parliament and following “a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country.” He did not elaborate on the talks.

Protest organizers said demonstrations would continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. They have called for demonstrations across the country on Friday in solidarity with students who were beaten by police during a march to Parliament on Monday that drew thousands of people.

“We won’t let Sonam sir’s sacrifice go in vain,” said Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical group that has spearheaded the movement, named in reference to a remark by the country's supreme court chief justice that compared some unemployed young people to cockroaches.

The nationwide protests come a day after Modi publicly addressed the protests for the first time, announcing fast-track courts to prosecute cases involving examination paper leaks. In a separate video message, Modi also said his government would introduce a legislation in Parliament to crack down on exam paper leaks.

The announcements did little to calm the movement, as protesters said they failed to address their demands for government accountability, examination reforms and compensation for the families of students who died by suicide after exam paper leaks.

Volunteers collect garbage at a protest site during a demonstration demanding educational reforms as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's ongoing protest movement in New Delhi, India, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Shonal Ganguly)

A protestor carries a placard saying 'When the education is taxed, why should Pradhan be not held accountable' referring to India's Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, during a demonstration demanding educational reforms as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's ongoing protest movement in New Delhi, India, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Shonal Ganguly)

A protestor carries a placard saying "In the exam attempt all questions, in a democracy answer all questions" during a demonstration demanding educational reforms as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's ongoing protest movement in New Delhi, India, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Shonal Ganguly)

A reclining protestor covers himself with a banner printed with a portrait of Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent activist who was forcefully transferred to a hospital by the police as he staged a hunger strike in support of a movement led by Cockroach Janta Party, at a protest in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Vipin)

Protesters shout slogans as they carry posters asking for the resignation of India's Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan at a protest led by Cockroach Janta Party in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Vipin)

A supporter distributes food to protestors during a demonstration demanding educational reforms as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's ongoing protest movement in New Delhi, India, Thursday, July 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Vipin)

Police officers chase protesters during a demonstration demanding educational reforms as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's ongoing protest movement in Mumbai, India, Thursday, July 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Protesters confront a police officer during a demonstration demanding educational reforms as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's ongoing protest movement in Mumbai, India, Thursday, July 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Protesters shout slogans during a demonstration demanding educational reforms as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's ongoing protest movement in Mumbai, India, Thursday, July 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)