Herbert, Burns Shatter Open Scoring Record with Rounds of 62
Two golfers match major championship low, rewriting history at Royal Birkdale and the US PGA.
Sarah Connor
Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns each delivered a stunning 62 in the second round of The Open, equalling the lowest score ever recorded in a major championship.
Lucas Herbert's 62-stroke round at The Open places him alongside Branden Grace, who first set the 62-stroke record at The Open in 2017 at Royal Birkdale.
Herbert's exceptional round propelled him into a two-stroke lead over Jackson Suber, positioning him as a joint-betting favourite for The Open title.
Herbert stated he could have improved his 62 by a couple of strokes, indicating he could have been better than eight under through 12 holes.
Sam Burns also concluded the day at five under par, securing his 62 by chipping in from a greenside bunker for birdie on the 18th hole.
This marks the second time in three years that two players in close succession have posted record-equalling scores in a major.
Xander Schauffele and Shane Lowry previously recorded a 62 at the 2024 US PGA Championship.
The landscape of major championship scoring shifts dramatically; Haeran Ryu shot a 60 in a women's major just last Saturday.
Historically, a score of 62 in a major stood as an anomaly, a once-in-a-generation feat for decades.
Now, multiple players reach this benchmark within a single season, indicating a significant evolution in player capability and competitive intensity.
For stakeholders across the sport, this surge in low scores generates a compelling narrative, driving increased viewership and sponsorship interest.
Golf fans witness more dramatic finishes and historic moments, broadening the sport's appeal to a wider audience.
An R&A official confirmed a device observed with Herbert's caddie on the 13th hole was a monocular without a battery, rendering it permissible under competition rules.
The device could not measure distances, ensuring fair play under meticulous scrutiny applied to equipment in major championships.
Herbert, who joined LIV Golf in 2024 and won his first LIV event in May, competes across professional golf's fragmented landscape.
His success on both tours reveals the high level of talent competing regardless of tour affiliation.
Burns' participation in The Open became possible after his wife delivered their second child earlier than anticipated, allowing him to travel.
There was zero percent chance of him playing in The Open before his wife encouraged him to make the journey.
While Herbert and Burns dominated headlines, Matt Wallace posted a clubhouse lead of four under par after completing his round with a 68.
Rory McIlroy recorded one birdie and one bogey, remaining two over par, and stated a decent start tomorrow would place him squarely in contention.