Ryan Fox Joins Elite 62 Club at The Open

Record‑Breaking Round

Ryan Fox made history on Saturday at Royal Birkdale, becoming the eighth player to post a round of 62 in a men’s major championship. Fox’s 62 tied the record set by Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns the day before, moving him into a share of the lead at 8‑under. The feat adds to the growing list of ultra‑low scores at major events. Notably, four of those eight 62s, including Branden Grace’s at the 2017 Open, have occurred at this very venue.

Leader’s Share with Herbert

Fox, who teed off more than five hours before second‑round leader Lucas Herbert, birdied four of his first six holes and quickly found himself in contention. He later shared the 8‑under mark with Herbert, effectively tying for the lead. The early pace set the stage for a weekend showdown among the top contenders.

Full Quotes from Fox

“I think it’s just the good weather conditions. The course is brilliant. It’s obviously very firm and fast,” Fox explained after his round. “In the mornings the greens are a little bit softer. Obviously, we had pretty much no wind until the last couple of holes today. You feel like you can shoot a score in the morning and the greens are perfect, that if you do roll it well, you feel like you hole everything.”

Fox added a touch of humor about his final hole: after a fairway bunker off the tee, he left himself a 40‑footer and two‑putted for par. “I was on the edge of it anyway. I was on a little upslope [in the bunker]. I had a number to get 8‑iron over the front bunker, and I knew I had to hit it perfectly to get it over the lip. I did, but it only just got over the lip,” he said.

Schauffele’s Reaction

When asked about watching another player achieve a 62, Xander Schauffele—playing alongside Fox on Saturday—offered enthusiastic praise. “You’ll take a 62 anywhere — if it’s in a major, it’s a cherry on top. And on a Saturday it’s even better,” he said. Schauffele, who has his own 62 on his resume, complimented Fox’s aggressiveness. “He came out hot. He was hitting it close, making the putts he should make. Hit an incredible shot there on 18 out of that bunker. Took on risk when he had to, tried to stay aggressive.”

Schauffele carded a solid 4‑under 66 and joked about riding Fox’s momentum. “I was trying to hop on whatever wave [Fox] was on to the best of my ability,” he noted. “Foxy is a great guy.” The pair finished the round with mutual respect, each aiming to post a good score despite the early deficit.

Why the 62 Matters at Royal Birkdale

Royal Birkdale’s reputation as a demanding links course adds weight to any sub‑60 performance. The fact that four of the eight historic 62s have been recorded here underscores the course’s role in shaping major‑championship scoring records. Fox’s achievement will likely spark debate about the venue’s status as a premier major stop, even as he remains unfazed.

As the 154th Open rolls into its final rounds, the landmark 62s from Herbert, Burns, and Fox illustrate how fleeting perfection can be on a firm, fast Birkdale fairway. Fans will watch closely to see if the elite field can match or surpass these blistering scores over the remaining 36 holes.