Australian golfer Lucas Herbert tied the lowest nine-hole score in Open Championship history during the second round on Friday [1].
This performance places Herbert in a rare tier of golfers who have dominated the front nine of a major championship. By matching this record, the LIV Golf star has positioned himself as a primary contender for the title at Royal Birkdale [2].
Herbert, 30, posted a six-under-par 28 on the front nine of his second round [3, 4]. He achieved this mark by recording birdies on six of the first nine holes [5]. This scoring feat makes him only the second player in the history of the tournament to reach a 28-stroke nine-hole total [2].
He matches the previous record set by Denis Durnian [4]. The historic run occurred at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England [1].
Herbert used the momentum from the front nine to take the lead during the second round of the 2026 Open Championship [5]. The aggressive play on the opening stretch of the course allowed him to distance himself from the field early in the day [2].
While the Open Championship is known for its challenging links conditions, Herbert's ability to navigate the front nine in 28 strokes demonstrates a high level of precision [3]. The result marks a significant milestone for the Australian in his pursuit of a major championship victory [1].
“Lucas Herbert tied the lowest nine-hole score in Open Championship history”
Tying a scoring record at a venue like Royal Birkdale highlights a shift in momentum for Herbert. In the context of the Open Championship, such a low nine-hole score is rare due to the volatile nature of links golf, suggesting that Herbert has found a specific rhythm with the course conditions that other competitors have struggled to match.
