Australian professional golfer Lucas Herbert moved to the top of the 2026 Open Championship leaderboard on Friday following a 62-stroke second round [3].
Herbert's performance is significant as it marks a dominant surge in one of golf's most prestigious majors, positioning the LIV Golf player as the man to beat heading into the weekend.
The Australian golfer achieved his position at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England [3]. During the second round, Herbert recorded six birdies on the front nine [2]. This feat equalled the front-nine record previously set by Denis Durnian in 1983 [4].
The birdie blitz propelled Herbert to a total score of six under par after the second round [1]. His 62-stroke round [3] represents one of the most aggressive scoring displays of the tournament thus far.
Herbert's rise to the lead comes during a critical phase of the championship. By matching a decades-old record, he has not only gained a numerical advantage, but has also established significant momentum as the field prepares for the final 36 holes at Royal Birkdale.
“Lucas Herbert moved to the top of the 2026 Open Championship leaderboard”
Herbert's ability to match a 43-year-old course record at Royal Birkdale demonstrates a high level of precision and aggression. Moving into the lead with a 62-stroke round puts immense pressure on the rest of the field and highlights the competitive impact of LIV Golf players within the major championships.
