Ryan Fox Shoots 62, Ties Major Championship Record at British Open

Ryan Fox just made golf history at Royal Birkdale, and his timing couldn't be better.

The New Zealand golfer shot an eight-under 62 on Saturday at the 2026 British Open, matching the lowest single-round score ever recorded in a men's major championship. Fox now shares the tournament lead heading into Sunday's final round, where he'll chase his first major victory.

Fox's round started with pure magic. He rattled off seven straight threes through his first eight holes, five of them under par, putting him on pace for something special.

A bogey on the 13th hole threatened to derail his historic bid. But Fox responded like champions do, sinking three birdies over his next four holes to secure his place in the record books.

The feat is even more remarkable because Fox isn't chasing history alone. Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns both shot 62 in Friday's second round, marking the first time three players have reached that number in the same major championship.

Fox's journey to this moment makes the achievement even sweeter. His previous best major finish was a tie for 19th at last year's U.S. Open, and he missed the cut entirely at this year's Masters.

The Ripple Effect

If Fox wins on Sunday, he'll become the first New Zealander to claim the Claret Jug since Bob Charles in 1963. That's more than 60 years of history waiting to be rewritten by a player who's fighting for his breakthrough moment.

The record-tying 62 puts Fox in elite company. Only seven players have achieved the feat eight times total, including recent winners like Xander Schauffele (who's done it twice) and Rickie Fowler. History suggests good things ahead: both Fowler and Schauffele went on to win their tournaments after shooting 62.

Fox shares the lead with Herbert at eight-under par as they head into Sunday's final round. Burns, the other member of the historic 62 club this week, remains in contention as well.

Royal Birkdale has seen plenty of drama over the years, but nothing quite like this. Three players pushing the absolute limits of what's possible in golf's most prestigious tournaments, all in the same weekend.

One final round stands between Ryan Fox and the achievement of a lifetime.