Ryan Fox fired an 8-under-par 62 in the third round of the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 18, matching the lowest round ever recorded in a men's major championship [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The 39-year-old New Zealander recorded nine birdies and one bogey during his round to reach 8 under par for the tournament, tying Lucas Herbert for the lead after three rounds [2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
Fox narrowly missed a historic 61 when his 47-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole slid just past the cup [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. He said, "Probably didn’t think about it too much until I got up and down on 14 for birdie... I had a lot of fun and it’s nice knowing I’m going to be in the mix [on Sunday]." He added the game plan was to "be aggressive," using driver on almost every hole because of the calm wind conditions [2, 3].
This marked the third round of 62 recorded within two days at the Open, following rounds of 62 by Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns in the second round on July 17, both also at Royal Birkdale [2, 3, 6]. Royal Birkdale has now seen four of the eight total rounds of 62 recorded in major history, including Branden Grace’s 62 in 2017 [2, 5].
Fox, ranked 39, has never finished in the top 20 in nine previous Open appearances before this breakthrough performance [3, 4]. He credited the good weather and firm, fast course, saying, "If you roll it well, you feel like you hole everything." He noted the greens were "perfect" for low scoring under calm conditions [6].
Playing alongside Fox, 2024 Open champion Xander Schauffele shot 66 to move to four under par for the championship [3, 4]. World number one Scottie Scheffler began the round four shots behind the leaders, while Bryson DeChambeau started at five under after a two-shot penalty earlier in the tournament [3, 4].
Fox’s performance puts him and Herbert at the front heading into the final round on Sunday, where both will seek their first major title.
