Australian golfer Lucas Herbert shot a record-equalling 62 on Friday to take the lead at the Open Championship [1].
This performance places Herbert among the most successful golfers in major championship history. By tying the lowest round ever recorded in a men’s major, he has established a significant psychological and numerical advantage heading into the weekend at Royal Birkdale Golf Club [2].
Herbert carded an eight-under-par 62 [1]. His surge included six birdies in the first nine holes, a run that stunned the field and put him in a position to challenge the all-time scoring record [3]. The round gave him a two-shot lead over the rest of the field [4].
Despite the historic score, Herbert expressed frustration with his finish. He missed a short putt on the 18th hole, which prevented him from lowering the record further.
"I'm a little bit disappointed I didn't make that putt on 18, but I'm proud of the round," Herbert said [1].
Other competitors struggled to keep pace with the Australian's momentum. The gap between Herbert's round and that of Sam Burns was only 22 minutes [4].
Herbert described the experience as the round of his life [3]. The feat is rare in the context of major championships, where conditions often prevent such low scores.
"Tying the 62 puts him in elite company; it's a historic performance at a major," Mike McCarroll, a golf analyst, said [4].
“"It was the round of my life."”
Herbert's record-tying round shifts the tournament dynamics by placing a high-scoring underdog in the lead. While the missed final putt represents a lost opportunity to set a new standalone record, the two-shot cushion provides a critical buffer for the final two rounds of the championship.
