Ryan Fox made headlines as he became the third player in just 24 hours to equal the lowest round in a men’s major, carding a stunning 62 on the third day of The Open at Royal Birkdale. The New Zealander started strong, going out in 29 after five birdies in seven holes, but a lone bogey at the 13th left him with a 33 on the back nine, tying him with co-leaders Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns.

Herbert and Burns had yet to start their rounds when Fox nearly made history by attempting to post a 61. His remarkable escape from a fairway bunker set up a challenging 48-foot birdie putt, which just fell short by four feet.

In contrast, Rory McIlroy, the Masters champion, struggled to capitalize on the favorable conditions, suffering back-to-back bogeys at the third and fourth holes. Despite a brilliant 348-yard drive and a chip-in eagle at the ninth, he ended the round at one over, still seven strokes behind the leaders.

Bryson DeChambeau aimed for a strong comeback after a controversial two-shot penalty from his second round. The two-time US Open champion managed a four-under-par 66, bringing him within one stroke of the lead despite the earlier setback, as he sought to regain momentum in his Open bid.

The excitement at The Open continues to build as players like Fox, Herbert, and Burns push for the championship.