Herbert and Burns tie major championship record with Friday 62s at The Open
Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns both achieved a significant milestone on Friday at The Open Championship, each carding an eight-under 62. This score equals the record for the lowest round in men’s major championship history. Herbert’s round placed him atop the leaderboard at eight under par, while Burns’s performance brought him within contention.
Herbert, who had previously shot an even-par 70 in the first round, began his second round with a strong start, securing three consecutive birdies on the opening holes. He continued his impressive play on the front nine, achieving one of the lowest nine-hole scores in Open Championship history. Despite a bogey on the 18th hole, which prevented him from breaking the single-round scoring record, Herbert expressed pride in his achievement.
His caddie, Nick Pugh, noted Herbert’s skill with the putter, despite the missed opportunity for a 61 on the final hole. Herbert himself acknowledged the mixed emotions of being disappointed with a 62, yet proud to join the list of golfers who have achieved such a low score in a major championship. He reflected on his knowledge of golf records, understanding the significance of his round as it unfolded.
Burns matches Herbert’s historic round
Shortly after Herbert completed his round, Sam Burns also recorded an eight-under 62. Burns, who had shot a three-over 73 in the first round, made history by holing out from a greenside bunker on the 18th hole. His round included six birdies on the back nine, with three consecutive birdies on the final three holes, and he did not record a single bogey.
Burns’s strong finish allowed him to join Herbert in tying the major championship record. Both golfers have now positioned themselves to contend for their first major titles. Herbert’s previous PGA Tour win was in 2021, and he has three wins on the DP World Tour, including a recent LIV Golf Virginia tournament victory. Burns, a five-time PGA Tour winner, secured his last victory in 2023 and has four career top-10 finishes in major championships, including a runner-up finish at this year’s U.S. Open.
The pursuit of a record-breaking 61
Herbert’s round was particularly notable for the near-miss of a 61, a score that no golfer has yet achieved in a men’s major championship. The putt on the 18th hole, which would have secured the record, slid past the hole. This moment left Herbert with a sense of disappointment despite the overall success of his round.
The Australian golfer’s journey through the round included a moment at the 14th hole where his drive found sand, impacting a potential birdie opportunity. However, he recovered with a birdie on the 16th. Signs of pressure appeared on the penultimate hole, where his second shot went into the crowd, though he managed to save par. The final hole presented a chance for history, but his par attempt ultimately missed.
Herbert’s caddie, Nick Pugh, described the emotional weight of the moment, noting how history can influence performance when a record is on the line. Herbert reflected on a childhood memory of watching a golfer attempt to break a record, expressing a hope that his own near-record round might inspire a similar experience for a young fan. Nine years prior, Branden Grace achieved a 62 at Royal Birkdale without realizing its significance at the time, a contrast to Herbert’s awareness of the records.
Herbert’s strong start, including birdies on the first two holes, quickly brought the possibility of a record-breaking round into his thoughts. His front nine performance, which included a correction from his caddie about achieving a 28 rather than a 29, further fueled the excitement. Birdies on the 10th, 11th, and 12th holes continued to draw crowds to his grouping, culminating in a memorable day at The Open Championship on Friday.
Read Also
Source: theguardian.com
