Ryan Fox shoots lowest back-nine in Open history
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Ryan Fox became the first person in Open history to score a back-nine of 29 as he fired a three-under 68 at Royal Portrush
Ryan Fox made six birdies in his final seven holes at Royal Portrush on Thursday to earn himself a spot in the record books as the first person ever to break 30 on the back-nine of an Open Championship.
The New Zealander, 32, opened his round with a dropped shot at the first and things looked set to continue in that vein when he added further bogeys at the third and ninth holes to end up with a front nine of 39.
But Fox improved that score by 10 shots on the back-nine, making four birdies in a row from the 12th-15th before adding two more on the final two holes to earn himself a new Open record with a 29.
Fox, who has missed his last seven cuts in a row, carded a three-under-par 68 and currently sits two shots behind leader Jon Rahm.
“That’s pretty cool,” Fox said in response to hearing he set a record. “I did actually ask my caddie, had anyone shot 29 for nine holes in a major, and I’m sure that happened. He said, Shut up, and just hole the putt.
“It was the first time I’ve had fun on a golf course for a while. You certainly don’t expect to do that. But it was nice to just get out of my own way and hit some decent golf shots and be a part of such a great event.”
