The Open 2026: Ryan Fox shoots 62 to equal men’s major record at Royal Birkdale

How often does the bus run in Birkdale?

You wait nine years for a round of 62 at the Open and three come in a little over 24 hours.

Earlier on Saturday, New Zealander Ryan Fox carded an eight-under-par 62 in the third round at Royal Birkdale, matching their efforts. Lucas Herbert and Sam Barnes Friday and equaled the lowest round in men’s major history.

Fox, like Herbert, had a chance to shoot a 61, but after finding a bunker off the tee on the 18th, gave himself up to a 48-foot putt for a place in history.

His effort missed the hole by five feet but he chipped in to record an eighth round of 62 at a major championship, half of which came at Royal Birkdale.

“I probably didn’t think too much about it (the record) until I got on 14 for birdie,” he told BBC Sport.

“I got a little lucky at the end to get a shot out of the fairway bunker.

“I clipped the very top of the lip with my second shot and wasn’t sure how it ended up, but I was happy to see it go.

“It was a nervous first putt, but I was happy to see the second one go in.

He added: “We had it as good as you can weather-wise. The wind was low, the greens were perfect, the ball was going miles along the fairway so it baked out.

“I had a lot of fun and it’s good to know I’ll be in the mix (on Sunday).”

Playing alongside 2024 Open champion Xander Schauffele, Fox got off to a fast start with five birdies in his first eight holes.

His only blemish came on the par-four 13th, failing to get up and down the left rough after his tee shot hit a fairway bunker.

He responded with three birdies over the next four holes to give himself a shot at breaking history, only to find his driving late one more time.

Fox holds the clubhouse lead at eight under par. The score is tied with Australian Herbert, who tees off at 15:50 BST.

“I’m going to have a chance to win the Open which is pretty exciting,” Fox said.

“There will be quite a nervous breakdown here but being aggressive has served me well the last couple of days. I will try to do the same (on Sunday) and hopefully it will work out.”