Herbert and Burns tie major record with 62s at Open Championship

Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns each shot 8-under-par 62 on Friday at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, tying the major championship single-round scoring record. Herbert missed a 5-foot par putt on the 18th hole that would have broken the record, while Burns capped his round with a bunker chip-in on the same hole.

Quick Facts

Shot 8-under-par 62 at Open Championship
Tied major championship scoring record
Herbert shot 6-under 28 on front nine (lowest nine-hole score at The Open)
Burns holed out from greenside bunker on 18th hole
Herbert missed 5-foot par putt on 18th hole

Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns each shot 8-under-par 62 on Friday at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in England, matching the major championship single-round scoring record. Herbert came closest to breaking the record but missed a 5-foot par putt on the 18th hole, finishing with a bogey. Two groups later, Burns completed the feat by holing out from a greenside bunker on the same 18th hole for his birdie. The record was first set by Branden Grace in 2017, also at Royal Birkdale, and has now been matched six times across men's major championships.

Herbert, ranked 97th in the world, recorded the lowest nine-hole score at The Open with a 6-under 28 on the front nine, matching Denis Durnian's record from 1983 at the same course. The Australian began with three consecutive birdies and added three more on holes 5, 7, and 9. On the back nine, he added birdies on holes 11, 12, and 16 to reach 9-under before his closing bogey. Herbert took the clubhouse lead at 8-under (two rounds combined) after his second-round performance, following an opening 70.

Burns, who started Friday at 3-over following a first-round 73, surged into contention with an exceptional closing stretch. He birdied holes 16, 17, and 18, with the final birdie coming from a dramatic chip-in from the greenside bunker. Burns credited his wife Caroline's encouragement for his decision to play at Royal Birkdale; their second child, daughter Belle, was born on July 3, earlier than expected, and Burns had originally planned to skip The Open. At two rounds combined, Burns stood at 5-under, three shots behind Herbert.

The record for the lowest single round in any major championship is held by South Korea's Haeran Ryu, who shot 11-under 60 at the Evian Championship earlier in July 2026. The men's record of 62 has now been matched six times: by Branden Grace (2017 Open), Lucas Herbert (2026 Open), Sam Burns (2026 Open), Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele (both 2023 U.S. Open), and Shane Lowry and Xander Schauffele again (both 2024 PGA Championship).

Herbert reflected on the missed opportunity with mixed emotions, describing himself as "absolutely disappointed" while remaining proud to join the exclusive list of major championship record holders. Burns, who had not expected to play and admitted he had no idea 62 was the record, praised his wife's support in enabling his participation. Both players' exceptional rounds came during fast, dry conditions with minimal wind at Royal Birkdale.

Topics

Sports

#The Open Championship #second round #Royal Birkdale #scoring record #Open Championship #major championship #front nine record #Branden Grace #Sam Burns #62

Entities

Why This Matters

Two players tied a major championship single-round scoring record at Royal Birkdale, demonstrating elite performance under consistent course conditions. The record—62 strokes—has now been matched six times across men's majors since 2017, indicating a measurable shift in competitive scoring at top tournaments. Herbert's opening performance places him at a significant two-round advantage; Burns' late entry to the field after his daughter's birth on July 3 narrows the gap to three shots. Tournament outcomes and player rankings may shift based on sustained performance through the remaining rounds at this venue.

Timeline & Sources

Jan 1, 2017

Wire

Branden Grace sets major championship scoring record with 62 at Royal Birkdale Open

Jan 1, 2017

Wire

Branden Grace establishes major championship scoring record with 62 at Royal Birkdale

Jul 3, 2026

Wire

Sam Burns' daughter Belle born, earlier than expected July 14 due date

Jul 17, 2026

Wire

Second round of 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale