[reaction: see text] A concise and enantioselective synthesis of (S)-2-cyclohexyl-2-phenylglycolic acid as a key intermediate for (S)-oxybutynin is reported. The crucial asymmetric tetrasubstituted carbon center was constructed with excellent stereoselectivity through the proline-catalyzeddirectasymmetricaldolreaction between cyclohexanone and ethyl phenylglyoxylate under mild conditions.