Herbert leads Open after record-tying 62 at Royal Birkdale
Lucas Herbert took a two-shot lead at the Open Championship after matching the lowest round ever shot in a men’s major.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Lucas Herbert seized the lead at the Open Championship on Friday with a 62 that tied the lowest score recorded in a men’s major, Reuters reported. The Australian finished the second round at Royal Birkdale on eight under, two shots clear, after narrowly missing a chance to become the first man to shoot 61 in a major.
Herbert, 30, had a five-foot putt at the last that would have set the record outright. Instead, he joined the small group of players who have posted 62 in a men’s major, on a day when Sam Burns matched the same score minutes later.
Reuters reported that only five rounds of 62 had previously been completed in men’s major championship golf. Herbert’s score matched Branden Grace’s 62 at the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale, Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele at the 2023 US Open, and Schauffele and Shane Lowry at the 2024 PGA Championship.
Herbert, who plays on the LIV Golf circuit, said his opening stretch was among the best golf he had played. “It was a lot of fun, those first 12 holes, I don’t think I’ve ever played golf that well before,” Herbert said, according to Reuters. “There was a great buzz out there, and it felt like everyone wanted it to happen. I felt like I kind of let everyone down a bit missing that putt on the last.”
Penalty changes DeChambeau’s position
Bryson DeChambeau had been set to sit one shot behind Herbert after a 66, Reuters reported, before the R&A assessed him a two-shot penalty. The ruling came after officials judged that the two-time US Open champion had inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing by stepping down long grass after his ball found rough on the fifth hole.
Reuters reported that DeChambeau spoke animatedly with rules officials and was taken back by buggy to the area where the incident occurred. He later left a cabin and went to the practice range, offering no comment to reporters beyond asking, “Are you guys having a great night?”
The penalty moved DeChambeau to five under. He was level with Burns and South Korea’s Kim Si-woo, three shots behind Herbert.
Chasing pack forms behind Herbert
Three Americans were closest to the lead after the second round, according to Reuters. First-round leader Jackson Suber, Cameron Young and Ryan Gerard stood at six under, two shots off Herbert’s pace.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler remained in contention after a second straight 68 left him at four under. Reuters reported that Scheffler is trying to become the first player since Padraig Harrington in 2008 to retain the Claret Jug.
Rory McIlroy also made the weekend. The world number two from Northern Ireland shot 67 to move to three under, seven shots behind Herbert as he continued his bid for a second Open title.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.