Southport (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ryan Fox matched the record low score at a major of 62 to move into a share of the British Open lead on Saturday as Rory McIlroy launched a scathing attack on Bryson DeChambeau’s antics after receiving a two-shot penalty. There had only been five rounds of 62 in major history prior to the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, but there are now eight after New Zealander Fox joined Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns, who both shot the same score in Friday’s second round. Fox set the clubhouse lead at eight under par.
“I think it’s just the good weather conditions. The course is brilliant. It’s obviously very firm and fast,” 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.”
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McIlroy’s hopes of adding to his six majors look forlorn after a third round 69 left him at two under for the tournament. But the Northern Irishman was still the focus of attention after he did not hold back on DeChambeau’s antics following his sanction late on Friday night. The American thought he had climbed to within one shot of the lead with a birdie-birdie finish to his second round. But with dark descending on the Southport links, the two-time US Open champion was handed a two-stroke penalty for “inadvertently improving” his lie as he addressed his second shot at the fifth hole.
DeChambeau appeared to trample down long grass as he addressed his ball for a practice swing. After an animated discussion with a rules official at the site of the incident, Sky Sports reported DeChambeau had even threatened to withdraw from the tournament, but he did take part in the third round. “I won’t pretend to be up here and defend Bryson. I’m not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it’s performative. I think a lot of it’s for attention,” said McIlroy. “To hold the tournament hostage like that, and to have all of us, players, volunteers, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn’t feel like it was a great look.”
DeChambeau said he would be “fired up” by the ruling in his quest for a first Claret Jug. “Obviously disappointed with the ruling. I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let’s get it,” DeChambeau, who avoided interviews after his second round, posted on social media.
Mark Darbon, chief executive of tournament organisers the R&A, said the decision was “really clear-cut from a rules perspective.” “It’s fair to say there was some emotion around that and we will keep some of the aspects of that discussion private,” Darbon told the BBC. “I empathise with that. Bryson has played a great round of golf, is in contention at a major championship, he wants to win golf’s original major. We were focused on the ruling and making a fair assessment.”
DeChambeau made a steady start at even par for his first nine holes to remain three shots off the lead. Roared on by huge local support, home favourite Tommy Fleetwood made his move to close to within one shot of the lead. The world number nine picked up three shots at the fifth, seventh, and 11th to move into a share of fourth with four holes to play. Cameron Young is also at seven under after his front nine as the world number four aims for his first major. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler was again let down by his putting as he picked up just one shot through 13 holes to move to five under for the tournament.
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