FILE PHOTO: Golf - European Tour - Irish Open - Ballyliffin Golf Club, Ballyliffin, Ireland - July 8, 2018 New Zealand's Ryan Fox misses his putt on the 18th green forcing the match to go into a tie break with Scotland's Russell Knox during the fourth round of the Irish Open Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

(Reuters) - Ryan Fox equaled the record for the lowest back nine at a British Open when he stormed home in 29 strokes at Royal Portrush on Thursday.

The world number 107, who is the son of former All Blacks flyhalf Grant Fox, was three over par after 11 holes and there were few signs of the fireworks that were to come.

But the Kiwi cranked his game into another gear and rattled home with six birdies in the final seven holes, capping off his heroics by banging in a 10-footer at the last.

Fox signed for a three-under 68.

Though his back nine matched the best score on an inward half at an Open, it fell one shot short of the record for either nine.

Englishman Denis Durnian carded a 28 on the front nine at the 1983 Open at Royal Birkdale.