Two record-equalling 62s at The Open - and two different reactions

Introduction

Australia's Lucas Herbert and the United States' Sam Burns have etched their names into golf history after both shooting eight-under-par rounds of 62 within 20 minutes of each other during the second round of The Open at Royal Birkdale.

The remarkable performances on Friday made Herbert and Burns just the sixth and seventh players in men's major championship history to record a round of 62. They also join South Africa's Branden Grace as the only golfers to achieve the milestone at The Open.

Herbert, an Australian LIV Golf player, set the clubhouse lead at eight under par following a bogey at his final hole. Burns, a 29-year-old American ranked world number 18, climbed into weekend contention at five under par total after starting his second round at three over par.

Between the two record-setting players sits overnight leader Jackson Suber, who followed his opening-round 65 with a three-under-par 69 to hold second place at six under par entering the weekend on Merseyside.

Background

For decades, the benchmark for the lowest single-round score in a men's major championship was 63. That score was recorded 31 times across golf's four men's major championships prior to 2017.

The longstanding mark was finally broken in 2017 during the third round of The Open at Royal Birkdale. South Africa's Branden Grace carded a historic, bogey-free round of 62 to set a new record for men's major golf.

Since Grace's breakthrough performance, every subsequent score of 62 in a men's major championship has arrived in pairs during the same tournament.

At the 2023 US Open held at Los Angeles Country Club, American Rickie Fowler shot a 62, only for countryman Xander Schauffele to match the score just 30 minutes later.

The trend continued at the 2024 US PGA Championship at Valhalla. Schauffele recorded his second major 62 during the opening round, and Ireland's Shane Lowry matched the score during the third round.

Across all major golf events, including women's majors, the absolute lowest single-round score was established earlier this month. South Korea's Haeran Ryu shot an 11-under-par 60 at the Evian Championship to set the all-time record for any major championship event.

Latest Developments

The second round at Royal Birkdale produced another dramatic chapter in major championship history as two players posted matching 62s in rapid succession.

Lucas Herbert built a sensational round and arrived at the 18th hole needing only a par to become the first golfer in men's major history to record a round of 61.

However, Herbert pushed his tee shot to the right on the final hole. After taking a drop near a spectator fence, he faced a five-foot putt for par but missed, settling for a bogey and an eight-under-par 62.

Despite the final-hole bogey, Herbert took the clubhouse lead at eight under par overall, putting himself in prime position ahead of the weekend rounds.

Approximately 20 minutes after Herbert completed his round, Sam Burns finalized his own 62 in spectacular fashion.

Burns began his Friday round well off the pace at three over par. He mounted an exceptional charge throughout the day to move deep into red numbers.

On the par-four 18th hole, Burns hit his approach shot into a greenside bunker. He then chipped in directly from the sand for birdie to cap off his eight-under 62 and reach five under par for the tournament.

Following his round, Burns admitted to reporters that he was unaware that 62 represented the lowest round score in men's major championship history.

Burns' presence at Royal Birkdale was itself uncertain until days before the tournament. His wife, Caroline, was expecting their second child on July 14.

However, their daughter, Belle, was born early on July 3. The early arrival allowed the American to travel to Merseyside to compete in the final major of the year.

Meanwhile, overnight leader Jackson Suber maintained his strong form. After opening the tournament with a 65, Suber shot a second-round 69 to reach six under par, positioning himself between Herbert and Burns on the leaderboard.

Key Facts

• Lucas Herbert shot an eight-under-par 62 to set the clubhouse lead at eight under par overall.

• Sam Burns carded an eight-under-par 62, recovering from three over par to move to five under par total.

• Herbert and Burns are the sixth and seventh players to shoot 62 in a men's major championship.

• All three scores of 62 in the history of The Open have taken place at Royal Birkdale, recorded by Branden Grace in 2017, and Herbert and Burns in this event.

• Prior to 2017, a score of 63 had been recorded 31 times in men's major history before Branden Grace set the record of 62.

• Every 62 recorded in a men's major since 2017 has occurred in pairs: Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele at the 2023 US Open, Xander Schauffele and Shane Lowry at the 2024 US PGA Championship, and Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns at Royal Birkdale.

• Sam Burns almost missed the championship due to the anticipated birth of his second child on July 14, but traveled to Merseyside after daughter Belle was born early on July 3 to wife Caroline.

• Overnight leader Jackson Suber sits in second place at six under par following rounds of 65 and 69.

• The lowest score in any major golf event remains the 11-under-par 60 shot by South Korea's Haeran Ryu at the Evian Championship earlier this month.

Conclusion

The second round at Royal Birkdale has reshaped the leaderboard and added another historic entry into the golf record books.

Lucas Herbert enters the weekend holding the clubhouse lead at eight under par, putting the Australian LIV Golf player in position to pursue his first major title.

Sam Burns has mounted a dramatic turnaround, moving from three over par into firm weekend contention at five under par, just three strokes behind Herbert.

With Jackson Suber holding second place at six under par between the two record-setters, the stage is set for a competitive weekend on the Merseyside coast.

Both Herbert and Burns have secured their places in men's major history, reinforcing Royal Birkdale's reputation as a venue where record-breaking scoring is possible.