Lucas Herbert stumbles late, ties major record with 62 at The Open

Published: Friday, July 17, 2026 at 1:23 pm

Australian golfer Lucas Herbert delivered a remarkable performance on Friday, tying a major championship record with a second-round score of 62 at the 154th Open Championship. The round, which saw Herbert flirt with history by nearing a sub-60 score, places him in a commanding position heading into the weekend.

Herbert's exceptional play began early in his round, as he birdied six of his first nine holes and eight of the first twelve. He reached an impressive 9 under par through 16 holes. A wayward approach shot on the 17th led to a saved par, but the final hole proved to be his undoing in his pursuit of a historic 61. Needing par on the 18th to set a new men's major record, Herbert's drive went right. While he managed to place his approach shot just in front of the green, his subsequent putt for par, which would have secured the record, slid past the cup, resulting in his only bogey of the day.

This 62 marks the sixth instance of such a score in major championship history. The last time The Open was held at this venue in 2017, South Africa's Branden Grace achieved the first 62 in major history. Prior to Herbert's feat, four other players had matched this score in recent years, including Xander Schauffele twice.

Herbert, who joined LIV Golf in 2024 and secured his first LIV victory in May, began the day at even par. His stellar round propelled him to 8 under par, giving him a two-stroke lead over Jackson Suber as the morning wave concluded. This performance marks a significant turnaround for Herbert in major championships, as his best previous finish since tying for 15th at The Open in 2022 was a T40.

The Australian's front nine was particularly dominant, featuring three consecutive birdies to start, including putts from 16 and 14 1/2 feet. He nearly achieved an eagle on the fifth hole and added another birdie. A remarkable 36-footer on the seventh hole, which broke significantly, showcased his putting prowess. He capped off his front nine with a chip-in for birdie on the ninth, completing a 6-under 28. This nine-hole score tied Englishman Denis Durnian's record for the lowest front-nine score in Open history, also achieved at this venue. Back-to-back birdies on holes 11 and 12 put him on pace for a sub-60 round, and a 7-footer on the 16th brought him to 9 under. Despite the late stumble, Herbert's performance has set the stage for an exciting weekend of golf.

BNN's Perspective: Lucas Herbert's near-historic round is a testament to the thrilling unpredictability of professional golf. While the record eluded him, his performance underscores the high level of competition and the fine margins that define success at the sport's highest level. His strong showing, particularly after a recent LIV Golf victory, suggests a golfer finding his stride at a crucial time in the season.

Tags: Lucas Herbert, The Open Championship, major record, 62, Royal Birkdale, Australian golfer, LIV Golf, Jackson Suber, Branden Grace, Xander Schauffele, Denis Durnian, 154th Open Championship, golf, birdies, bogey, par, lead, score

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