Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry struggle for momentum as Ryan Fox sets Open standard

New Zealander joined an expanding group of golfers to have shot 62s in men’s major championship golf with his third round effort, but the Irish challenge is stuttering

Rory McIlroy reacts on the 15th during day three of The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport. Pic: David Davies/PA Wire.

Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy were bidding to catch up with The 154th Open’s frontrunners on Saturday as New Zealander Ryan Fox showed the way with the championship’s third round of 62.

Fox, who is the sole possessor of The Open’s low back nine record following his 29 at Royal Portrush in 2019, made a further piece of history at Royal Birkdale as joined a expanding group of golfers to have shot 62s in men’s major championship golf.

His eight-under-par round catapulted him into a share of the lead held overnight by Australian Lucas Herbert, who’s own 62 on Friday was matched within 20 minutes by American Sam Burns.

Prior to Birkdale’s low scoring this week, Shane Lowry (2024 PGA), Xander Schauffele (2024 PGA and 2023 US Open), Rickie Fowler (2023 US Open) and Branden Grance (2017 Open) were the only men to shoot 62s. LPGA star Haeran Ryu of Korea shot a 60 at the women’s Evian Championship last weekend for the definitive majors low round.

Early starter Fox, who started the day on even par, went out in 29 on Saturday, one less than Herbert in his second round as the Aussie equaled Englishman Denis Durnian’s 1983 record low front nine scored at the same course. 

The Kiwi was three under for his back nine, his birdie at the par-five 17th pushing him to eight under and into a share of the lead with Herbert, due to tee off for his third round in the last group out at 3:50pm alongside Jackson Suber of the United States, who will begin at six under.

World number two McIlroy started his day at one under par, seven back on the lead, having targeted a four- or five-under third round to put him in contention ahead of Sunday’s final round. The six-time major winner and back-to-back Masters champion quickly went into reverse, however, with bogeys at the par-three third and par-four fourth holes.

The Irishman earned a shot back with a birdie three at the fifth and looked to have lift-off with an eagle at the 414-yard ninth. He had driven the ninth green for birdie on both Thursday and Friday but came up short with his third attempt, only to chip in for the eagle two from off the putting surface this time around.

There was another blow to McIlroy’s momentum with a bogey at the 11th to send him back to one under for the week but he did managed to get under par for the day with a birdie at the par five 17th to leave him on two-under and six behind the leaders as things stood.

Lowry was faring better in the early stages of his third round. 

The 2019 Open champion had begun the day at three under par and his birdie at the par-four third edged him a shot closer to the lead. Lowry was four under for the week with 14 holes still to negotiate on Saturday but a first birdie of the day at the par four tenth saw him slip back in the wrong direction.

Updated at 4.34pm