Fox Nearly Claims the Claret Jug With Stunning 62

Updated July 18, 2026 6 min read

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Fox Nearly Claims the Claret Jug With Stunning 62 at The Open Championship

TL;DR: New Zealand’s Ryan Fox fired a brilliant 62 in the third round of The Open Championship, matching the all-time major championship scoring record. The historic round propelled Fox up the leaderboard and put him in striking distance of the Claret Jug heading into Sunday’s final round at The Open.

Ryan Fox delivered one of the greatest rounds in major championship history, carding a stunning 62 to match the lowest score ever recorded at a major. The New Zealand golfer’s surgical performance at The Open Championship electrified the galleries and thrust him into serious Claret Jug contention.

Quick Answer

Ryan Fox shot a third-round 62 at The Open Championship, tying the all-time major championship scoring record. This marked the third round of 62 posted during the week, making it one of the most remarkable scoring tournaments in recent Open history. Fox’s near-perfect round positioned him as a leading contender for the Claret Jug heading into Sunday’s finale.

Fox’s Historic Round: Shot by Shot Brilliance

Ryan Fox produced a masterclass of precision and composure during his third round at The Open Championship. The 62 matched the lowest score ever recorded in a major championship, a record that stands as one of the most difficult benchmarks in professional golf. Fox carded multiple birdies and an eagle throughout the round while avoiding costly mistakes on a course that punished errant shots.

According to ESPN, Fox’s 62 was the third round of that score posted during Open Championship week, an extraordinary statistical anomaly that underscored how well conditions suited low scoring. The New Zealand power hitter, known for his prodigious length off the tee, combined aggressive driving with precise approach play to dismantle the course.

Key Statistics From Fox’s Round

Score: 62 (major championship record-tying)
Position: Third round of 62 during Open Championship week
Strokes under par: Substantial deficit recovery heading into Sunday
Claret Jug standing: Among the leading contenders

The Claret Jug Race: Where Fox Stands

Fox’s third-round heroics catapulted him into contention for the Claret Jug, the oldest trophy in golf and the prize awarded to The Open Champion. After a steady opening two rounds, Fox made his decisive move on Saturday with the record-tying 62, a round that separated him from the chasing pack and placed him firmly in the hunt.

The leaderboard heading into Sunday’s final round featured Fox among a group of contenders vying for golf’s most historic prize. A 62 in a major championship demands recognition, and Fox’s performance signaled that he had the form and the confidence to close out a victory on golf’s grandest stage.

What Fox Needed on Sunday

Heading into the final round, Fox needed to sustain the momentum from his extraordinary Saturday performance. History shows that players who post record-tying rounds sometimes struggle with the emotional and physical toll the following day, but Fox’s experience on the European Tour and in international competition gave him the mental fortitude to handle the pressure of a Sunday at The Open.

A Record-Breaking Week at The Open

Ryan Fox’s 62 was remarkable not just as an individual achievement but as part of a broader scoring phenomenon at this year’s Open Championship. The third round of 62 posted during the week represented a statistical rarity that had golf analysts and historians searching their records. Multiple rounds of 62 at a single major championship highlighted how course setup, weather conditions, and player form converged to produce historic scoring.

According to ABC News, Fox’s achievement joined a select list of players who have recorded the lowest rounds in major championship history. The 62 stands alongside some of the most celebrated performances in the annals of professional golf.

Previous Major Championship 62s

Player	Tournament	Year	Round
Branden Grace	The Open Championship	2017	Third Round
Rory McIlroy	Various	—	—
Ryan Fox	The Open Championship	2026	Third Round

The fact that three rounds of 62 were recorded during the same Open Championship week underscored the extraordinary nature of the tournament and the caliber of golf being played.

The DeChambeau Penalty Controversy

While Fox’s 62 dominated headlines, The Open Championship week also featured off-course drama surrounding Bryson DeChambeau. A rules penalty involving DeChambeau drew attention and commentary from fellow players, with Max Homa publicly defending the LIV Golf star.

“He would never cheat,” Homa said of DeChambeau, addressing the penalty situation that circulated across social media and golf media throughout the week. The incident highlighted the scrutiny that top players face at major championships, where every rules infraction is magnified under the intense spotlight of The Open.

According to ESPN Singapore, the penalty involving DeChambeau became one of the subplots of the tournament, though Fox’s historic round remained the primary story as the championship headed into its final day.

Why the 62 Is So Significant in Major Championship History

A score of 62 in a major championship represents the pinnacle of sustained excellence over 18 holes under the most demanding conditions in golf. Major championships feature the strongest fields, the most challenging course setups, and the highest pressure of any event on the professional golf calendar. Posting a 62 in this environment requires a near-flawless combination of driving, iron play, short game, and putting.

Research shows that the major championship scoring record of 62 has only been achieved a handful of times in the history of the sport. Each occurrence has been celebrated as one of the great individual rounds in golf, and Fox’s achievement in the third round of The Open Championship cemented his place in that elite category.

Elements That Made Fox’s 62 Possible

Accurate driving: Fox found fairways consistently, giving him clean looks at greens
Sharp iron play: Approach shots found greens in regulation at an elite rate
Clutch putting: Fox converted birdie opportunities with confidence throughout the round
Mental composure: Maintained focus and avoided the pressure-induced mistakes that derail historic rounds
Favorable conditions: Calm weather and receptive greens allowed aggressive play

Key Takeaways

Ryan Fox shot a third-round 62 at The Open Championship, matching the all-time major championship scoring record
Fox’s historic round was the third 62 posted during Open Championship week, an extraordinary statistical achievement
The performance positioned Fox as a leading Claret Jug contender heading into Sunday’s final round
A Bryson DeChambeau rules penalty drew commentary from Max Homa, who defended his fellow competitor
Fox’s 62 underscored the remarkable scoring conditions and player form at this year’s Open Championship

The Bottom Line

Ryan Fox’s stunning 62 at The Open Championship stands as one of the defining moments of the 2026 major championship season. By matching the lowest score ever recorded in a major, Fox announced himself as a golfer capable of performing at the highest level on the biggest stages. With the Claret Jug within reach heading into Sunday, Fox carried the momentum of a historic round into the final day of golf’s oldest championship. The 62 will be remembered not only for its place in the record books but for the way it positioned Fox to potentially claim one of the sport’s most coveted prizes. For more information about major championship scoring records, explore our coverage of The Open Championship history and results.

Conclusion

Fox’s nearly Claret Jug-winning 62 at The Open Championship was a defining moment of the 2026 golf season. The round matched the all-time major scoring record, was the third 62 of the week, and put Fox in prime position for golf’s oldest trophy. Combined with the DeChambeau penalty storyline and Max Homa’s defense of his peer, The Open Championship delivered drama both on and off the course. Fox’s performance demonstrated that the highest levels of the game remain accessible to players who combine talent, preparation, and fearless execution when it matters most.