The New Zealander surged 50 places up the leaderboard with the biggest move of the day, joining Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns as the third player this week to card a 62 – equalling the lowest round ever recorded in men’s major championship history.
Fox’s remarkable round leaves him in a share of second place at 8-under, just two shots behind American Sam Burns, with the pair set to go head-to-head in Sunday’s final group.
The Kiwi said he drew inspiration from the All Blacks’ victory earlier in the day before producing one of the finest rounds of his career.
“All Blacks played pretty well and it was great to do a little bit of that myself.”
Fox also offered his thoughts on why Royal Birkdale has produced an unprecedented three rounds of 62 this week.
“I think it’s just the good weather conditions. The course is brilliant. It’s obviously very firm and fast. In the mornings the greens are a little bit softer,” said Fox on the reason for the spate of 62s.
“You feel like you can shoot a score in the morning and the greens are perfect, that if you do roll it well, you feel like you hole everything.”
While Fox stole the headlines, Lucas Herbert, who earned his spot at The Open via his performance at the New Zealand Open earlier this year, remains firmly in contention despite a one-over-par 71. After his own record-equalling 62 on Friday, Herbert sits in a share of fourth at 7-under, just one shot behind Fox and three shots adrift of Burns heading into the final round.
Young Kiwi Kazuma Kobori continued his impressive championship with a composed 3-under 67 that featured just a single blemish on his scorecard. The round propelled Kobori 27 places up the leaderboard into a tie for 11th alongside eight other players, including fellow New Zealand Open competitor Cameron John, who added a steady 1-under round to remain well placed entering Sunday.
Japan’s Naoyuki Kataoka maintained his position with an even-par round and sits at 1-over for the championship, while compatriot Kazuki Higa carded a 2-over 72 to slip back after three rounds.
All eyes will now be on the final pairing at Royal Birkdale as Fox lines up alongside overnight leader Sam Burns with the Claret Jug on the line. Fox will be chasing history as he looks to become just the second New Zealander to win The Open Championship after Sir Bob Charles’ triumph in 1963, and only the forth New Zealander to claim a major championship, joining Sir Bob Charles, Michael Campbell and Lydia Ko.
