Ryan Fox has matched one of golf's most exclusive feats with a scorching 62 at Royal Birkdale, putting himself squarely in contention heading into the final round of the Open Championship.
Fox's aggressive approach paid immediate dividends. Playing mostly driver off the tee, he adapted his strategy to manage the wind and hazards, including a couple of recovery shots on the back nine that could easily have cost him. He closed with a par from a fairway bunker on 18, finishing the day in high spirits.
"The game plan was to be aggressive," Fox told Sky after his round. "Your strategy changes with the wind around here." He credited fellow competitor Xander Schauffele, who played well alongside him, with fueling the momentum between them. "We kind of fed off each other," Fox said. "I haven't really put four rounds together at the Open, but hopefully this is a sign that I'm in a pretty good place to give myself a chance."
The third round at Birkdale told conflicting stories for other contenders. Rory McIlroy's day reflected his season-long struggle to string together consistent golf. After chipping in for an eagle at the 9th, he managed only a bogey at 11, sliding back to one under par. A second Claret Jug remains elusive, though he holds one from his 2014 victory.
Jon Rahm's Open record continues to perplex. Despite high finishes in 2019 and 2023, he has never truly threatened to win the championship. His third round started poorly when he drove over the bushes right and out of bounds, leading to a double-bogey six on the opening hole. The frustration was evident, even if contained.
Bryson DeChambeau remained in action as the tournament approached its climax, adding to the star power competing for the title at the historic links course.
Fox's round stands as a reminder of just how rare a 62 is in major championship golf. With one round remaining, he has positioned himself to potentially claim his first major title, assuming he can maintain the form that generated such an explosive scoring day.
Author James Rodriguez: "Fox's 62 is spectacular, but let's see if he can actually finish the job, because the Open has a way of humbling even the hottest rounds."
Comments