Ryan Fox Golf Positions New Zealand Star Two Shots Behind Leader Sam Burns at Open Championship

New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox equaled the Open Championship scoring record with a third-round 62 to position himself just two shots behind American leader Sam Burns, who holds a -10 total heading into Sunday's final round at Royal Birkdale. Fox shares second place with South Korean Kim Si-woo, while Burns carries momentum after posting the lowest consecutive 36 holes in major championship history.

Fox Matches Historic Record

Fox's brilliant third-round performance matched the lowest single round ever recorded at the Open Championship. His 62 made him the seventh player in history and the third in consecutive days to achieve the feat at a major tournament. The New Zealand competitor nearly recorded an even more historic 61, reaching the 18th green with a 47-foot birdie attempt that narrowly missed.

Despite the near-perfection, Fox finished the day at eight-under par, tying with Australian Lucas Herbert as the clubhouse leader before Burns surged past both competitors. The leaderboard compressed significantly going into the final 18 holes, with seven players within four shots of the lead.

Burns Establishes Commanding Position

Burns, who arrived at Royal Birkdale expecting to be home awaiting his daughter's birth, instead found himself in contention for his first major championship. The American backed up his own exceptional 62 from the second round with a five-under 65 on Saturday, establishing a two-shot lead over Fox and Kim. Burns' consecutive rounds of 62-65 represent the lowest back-to-back 36 holes ever recorded in major championship golf.

American superstar Bryson DeChambeau, who dominated headlines throughout the week due to equipment controversy, sits four shots behind at six-under after posting a one-under 69. Swedish golfer Ludvig Aberg and reigning U.S. Open champion DeChambeau represent the only players in the top ten with major championship experience, though the condensed leaderboard suggests multiple contenders retain realistic victory chances.

Local Favorite Still in Pursuit

English golfer Tommy Fleetwood, competing in his home region of Southport where he grew up near Royal Birkdale, trails by five shots at five-under. Despite late bogeys dampening his third-round prospects, Fleetwood continues chasing his first Open Championship title, which would make him the first Englishman to win the event in England since Tony Jacklin in 1969.