Australian golfer Lucas Herbert tied the lowest round ever recorded in a men’s major championship during the 2026 Open Championship [1].
This performance places Herbert in an elite tier of scoring history, matching a benchmark that had stood for nearly a decade. The feat underscores the aggressive play and precision required to navigate a major championship course at such a high level.
Herbert recorded a score of 62 strokes during the second round on Friday, July 9 [1], [2]. The round took place at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England [1], [5]. This score equals the historic mark of 62 [1], [4].
That benchmark was first established by Branden Grace in 2017 [1], [3]. By matching this score, Herbert becomes one of the few players to ever reach this threshold in the history of men's major golf [1], [2].
Despite the record-tying score, the round ended in a narrow miss of further history. Reports indicate Herbert nearly surpassed the record but missed a putt on the 18th hole that would have set a new all-time low for a major championship [6].
Herbert was not the only player to find success during the second round. Sam Burns also shot a 62, matching the major championship record alongside the Australian [1], [2]. Both golfers navigated the challenging links of Royal Birkdale to secure their places in the record books [1], [2].
“Lucas Herbert tied the lowest round ever recorded in a men’s major championship.”
The occurrence of two players matching the lowest round in major history during a single tournament suggests a shift in scoring volatility or course conditions at Royal Birkdale. While tying the record is a significant career achievement, the failure to break the 62-stroke barrier—despite multiple opportunities—highlights the extreme difficulty of lowering the all-time scoring floor in major championship golf.
