Full Breakdown
Ryan Fox Joins Record-Tying Club with 62 at The Open
7/19/2026, 12:40:47 AM
Record-Breaking Third Round
On Saturday, July 18, 2026, New Zealand’s Ryan Fox carded an eight-under-par 62 in the third round of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. The round tied the major-championship scoring record and placed Fox in a three-way tie for the lead with Australia’s Lucas Herbert, who had not yet teed off. Fox’s 62 marked the third consecutive 62 recorded at Birkdale, following Herbert’s and Sam Burns’s rounds on Friday.
Background & Context
The 62-stroke benchmark has been achieved eight times in men’s major-championship history, with half of those rounds occurring at Royal Birkdale. The first was set by South Africa’s Branden Grace in the 2017 Open. Xander Schauffele and Shane Lowry matched the mark at the 2024 PGA Championship, while Rickie Fowler and Schauffele also recorded 62s at the 2023 U.S. Open. Fox’s round therefore makes him the eighth golfer to reach the 62-score and the third player to do so at this year’s Open—a first in major-championship history.
Data & Statistics
- Total 62-rounds in majors: eight (AP) vs. seven players (The Independent).
- 62-rounds at Royal Birkdale: four (Grace 2017, Herbert 2026, Burns 2026, Fox 2026).
- Fox’s round: 5 birdies on the front nine, birdies on holes 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 14, 16, 17, and a single bogey on hole 13.
- He began the day at even par and finished at -8, sharing the clubhouse lead.
On-the-Ground Report
Fox opened with five birdies in his first eight holes, posting a five-under-29. A fairway bunker off the 13th produced his only bogey, but he rebounded with three birdies in the next four holes. On the 18th, a tee-shot landed in a pot bunker; a precise approach found the green, leaving a 48-foot birdie putt that fell short, securing par instead of a potential 61. Throughout the round, Fox noted the “soft” morning greens and the “barely a breath of wind” that made the links “firm and fast,” allowing shots to roll far and putts to drop easily.
Official Statements & Responses
Tournament officials highlighted the unusually calm wind conditions and the softened greens as key factors enabling low scoring. They also confirmed that the R&A adjusted pin positions for Sunday’s final round in response to the three consecutive 62s, aiming to add strategic difficulty without altering the course’s overall character.
Criticism & Opposition
Some competitors, including Rory McIlroy, expressed frustration with the same conditions that benefited the leaders, noting that the lack of wind rendered the course “relatively defenseless.” Observers suggested that the rapid succession of record-tying rounds raised questions about whether the setup was overly favorable for aggressive play.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total count of 62-rounds: the Associated Press lists eight historic rounds, while The Independent refers to seven distinct players achieving the feat. Both agree that four of the rounds have occurred at Royal Birkdale. No official comment has clarified the discrepancy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think it’s just the good weather conditions. The course is brilliant. It’s obviously very firm and fast. In the mornings the greens are a little bit softer,” — Ryan Fox, professional golfer
- “[Shooting 62] probably crept into my head on 10, but I wouldn't say it was there,” — Ryan Fox
- “You’d take a 62 anywhere,” — Xander Schauffele, PGA Tour player
- “I was pretty happy to have that 40-footer out of the fairway trap.” — Ryan Fox
- “It'll be pretty nerve wracking out there but being aggressive the last couple of days has served me well.” — Ryan Fox
What’s Next
Sunday’s final round will begin at 8 a.m. on Sky Sports Golf. Fox, tied for the lead at -8, will seek his first major title and could become the first New Zealander since Bob Charles (1963) to win The Open. The R&A has indicated additional slope work on bunker fronts for Sunday, promising a tougher test for the leaders.
