Herbert and Burns tie major championship record with 62s at Open Championship
Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns both achieved a significant milestone in men’s major championship history on Friday, each recording a score of 62 during the second round of the Open Championship. This performance placed Herbert atop the leaderboard at eight under par and marked a notable day for both golfers.
Herbert’s round of 62 equaled the course’s 18-hole record, making him the sixth player to post such a score in a major championship and only the second in the history of the Open Championship. Despite this achievement, Herbert expressed mixed emotions, stating he was both “disappointed and at the same time, so proud of today.” He had a chance to break the single-round scoring record but recorded his first bogey of the day on the 18th hole.
The Australian golfer began his second round with a strong start, securing consecutive birdies on the first three holes. He continued this momentum, adding three more birdies to match the lowest nine-hole score in Open Championship history. Herbert maintained his pace on the back nine, adding three additional birdies before his bogey on the 18th.
Herbert reflected on the moment, recalling an early golf memory of his father waking him to watch Chad Campbell in the 2009 Masters, who had a chance to shoot 62. He hoped that a similar experience might have occurred for a young viewer watching his round unfold. Herbert, who identifies as a “golf nerd,” was aware of the records and numbers throughout his round, particularly after a strong start with birdies on the opening two holes.
His caddie, Nick Pugh, noted Herbert’s putting ability, describing him as one of the best putters. Pugh also acknowledged the pressure of the moment, suggesting that the awareness of history being on the line could introduce a slight distraction. After missing a putt on the final hole, Herbert and Pugh shared a moment, highlighting their close relationship.
Minutes after Herbert concluded his round, Sam Burns also made history by holing out from a greenside bunker on the 18th hole to finish with his own 62. Burns, who had shot three-over 73 in the first round, demonstrated a strong finish on the back nine. His impressive round included no bogeys and six of his eight birdies occurring on the back nine, with three consecutive birdies on the final three holes.
Herbert’s only PGA Tour win occurred in 2021 at the Bermuda Championship. He also has three victories on the DP World Tour and won the LIV Golf Virginia tournament this past May. His highest finish in a major championship has been 13th.
Burns, a five-time PGA Tour winner, secured his last victory in 2023. He has four career top-10 finishes in major championships, including a runner-up finish at this year’s U.S. Open. Both golfers’ performances on Friday have positioned them to contend for their first major titles.
The course at Birkdale was considered challenging, making the low scores achieved by Herbert and Burns particularly noteworthy. Herbert’s round included a front nine played in 28, a detail he corrected his caddie on, emphasizing his precise knowledge of his performance. His drive on the par-five 14th found sand, affecting an opportunity, but he recovered with a birdie on the 16th. Signs of nerves appeared on the penultimate hole, where his second shot went into the crowd, though he managed to save par. His final hole saw a drive to the right and a putt that ultimately slid left of the hole, preventing a record-breaking 61.
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Source: theguardian.com
