Ryan Fox Joins 62 Club at British Open

A Historic Week at Royal Birkdale

Ryan Fox posted a 62 at the British Open, stamping his name on the exclusive list of players who have fired a record‑tying low round in a major. With the effort, he became the third competitor in just this week to match the 62 figure at Royal Birkdale. The feat ties the all‑time major‑championship scoring record, which has been broken eight times across history. It also continues a striking pattern at this venue, where half of those historic rounds have occurred.

Three 62s in a Short Span

Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns each carded 62 roughly 20 minutes apart on Friday, sealing a rare cluster of sub‑62 scores. Their back‑to‑back performances meant that three players posted the same score within a short span at the same event. The convergence underscores how competitive the field was at this week’s Open.

The eight rounds of 62 in major‑championship history make the achievement a landmark rather than a fluke. Royal Birkdale alone accounts for four of those extraordinary rounds, giving the course a reputation for producing low scores. Branden Grace first set the benchmark with a 62 at this same club in 2017, a record that has now been matched by three newcomers. Each new 62 adds to the narrative that the course can be unforgiving yet surprisingly generous when conditions align.

Fox’s drama on the 18th highlighted the difficulty of navigating a pot bunker while still aiming for a low score. He found the green from a tricky lie, leaving a nearly 50‑foot birdie putt that he missed by a few feet. Undeterred, he sank the subsequent par putt to close out his round. The moment capped a round that combined precision, luck, and composure.

Beyond the personal milestone, Fox’s round reinforces the British Open’s tradition of testing players with varied lies and fast greens. As the leaderboard reshapes, newcomers will look to copy his feat, knowing that a 62 remains one of the hardest scores to re‑create. The week’s collection of 62s promises excitement for the rest of the tournament and sets a high bar for future majors at Royal Birkdale.