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FWC Final from 6am MondayFox and Kobori make their charge in historic day for New Zealand golf
David Bieleski • July 19th, 2026 9:16 am
New Zealander Ryan Fox teeing off on his spectacular third round at Royal Birkdale | Photo: EPA
July 18 may well go down as one of the most significant days in New Zealand golfing history.
Ryan Fox is tied for second after a record-equalling 62 to be two shots off leader Sam Burns, while Kazuma Kobori's 67 places the young Kiwi in a tie for 11th.
Should either become just the second Kiwi to lift the Claret Jug, it would sit alongside the achievements of Dame Lydia Ko, Michael Campbell and Sir Bob Charles in the upper echelons of New Zealand golfing lore. Charles lifted the Jug back in 1963 at The 92nd Open Championship.
It is the first time in the modern golf era that there are two Kiwis in the Top 15 entering the final round of a major championship.
For Fox, it quickly became evident that a special round was on the cards.
Currently ranked 56th in the world, Fox backed up birdies at the 2nd and 3rd with a further two birdies at the 5th and 6th. He notched an astonishing seven consecutive threes on his scorecard to sit five-under for a 29 on the front nine.
In doing so, he became one of just two golfers to ever break 30 on nine holes more than once at The Open, sharing the record with 1991 champion Ian Baker-Finch of Australia.
But, Fox wasn’t finished - he would make a further four birdies on the back nine, mixed with his solitary bogey of the day, signing for a historic score.
It was the third round of 62 at The 154th Open Championship, and the eighth in major championship history, tying the record for the lowest round ever recorded in more than 150 years of men's major championship golf.
As he came off the course after the round of his life, he gave a very Fox-like review of his round.
“I feel really good, to be honest.” Fox laughed.
“Being picky, I'd want a couple of drives back today maybe, but outside of that, I feel like I didn't really miss a shot. I had a couple of great shots down the stretch, and putted really nicely.”
Ryan Fox's historic 62 to equal The Open scoring record | Sport Nation
The 39-year-old said the calm morning conditions had played an important role in compiling his score, along with the fact playing partner Xander Schauffele was also playing well.
“It feels like, when you're out in the morning, when the wind's down around here, there's almost some pressure on to shoot a score. It was nice. Xander and I had a lot of fun out there today. Both made a bunch of birdies and we kind of fed off each other.
“I get along pretty well with Xander. We just talked walking down most of the fairways. It was kind of easy. Didn't really think about anything else that was going on there.”
Fox’s attention now turns to Championship Sunday. He enters with his best chance to secure a maiden major championship, and the first realistic chance of a New Zealand men's major champion since Michael Campbell's victory at the 2005 U.S. Open.
His plan on how to approach the moment and execute is simple in his eyes.
“Just pick shots and try to hit them. Nothing changes game plan-wise," Fox said.
“I think this golf course anyway kind of lends itself to being fluid. The winds swung around from all directions this morning when we played. You can't say I'm going to hit 4-iron off this tee or I'm going to hit 2-iron off this tee or driver. It does change depending on wind direction.”
“I went in there with an aggressive strategy the whole day, and did the same thing yesterday and played pretty decently. I'll try to do the same thing tomorrow and see what happens.”
Kazuma Kobori flying the flag with Ryan Fox at The 154th Open after strong third round | Sport Nation
But Fox wasn't the only highlight for Kiwi golf fans - Kazuma Kobori shot a wonderful 3-under 67.
The 24-year-old now sits at four-under for the tournament, six shots off the lead and firmly in contention tied for 11th.
Afterwards, Kobori said simply making the cut for the first time in a major championship was a special moment, let alone to be within touching distance of the lead.
“Everything from here on out is a bonus now that I've made the cut. I'm just going to go enjoy myself. No matter what happens, it's only another year until the next Open Championship. I'm just going to have fun, and then, go from there."
Kobori's coach Jay Carter is proud of his young charge’s performance that included four birdies, with just the single bogey coming at the 6th hole.
"He was clinical today. Over the first three rounds, he has hardly put a foot wrong. It’s a long course, it’s challenging, and he’s obviously one of the shortest hitters out here," Carter said.
"To be competing in the Top 20 he has to be really accurate, and he has been.”
Coming off the back of the All Blacks' strong 40-21 victory at Eden Park, the home where his father Grant made a name for himself, Ryan Fox's wallet is already slightly heavier after winning a bet against Irish golfer Shane Lowry - who politely brushed off the question when asked about the result.
“I don’t want to talk about the rugby."
“He’s got £100 in his locker,” Lowry chuckled. “He shot 62, and now he’s got my money!”
Perhaps if Fox lifts the Claret Jug on Sunday (local time) and collects the approximately $NZD5.4m in prize money, he will let Lowry off the hook.
Tune into Sport Nation Mornings 10am every Wednesday for David Bieleski's weekly 'Deep Dive Golf' segment.
