LIV Golf star Lucas Herbert shot an eight-under-par 62 at Royal Birkdale on Friday to take a two-shot lead at The Open and become the sixth golfer in history to record the score in a major championship. The Australian came from nowhere to reach eight-under-par in the clubhouse, sitting two clear of little-known American Jackson Suber. Following the round, Herbert emerged as the surprising joint-betting favourite to win the tournament alongside world No 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Herbert had an opportunity to become the first golfer in history to shoot 61 in a major championship, but he missed a short putt on the 18th green. Before Friday, his best-ever major championship finish was 13th at the 2022 PGA Championship. Shortly after Herbert finished, USA Ryder Cup star Sam Burns matched the 62 feat to become the seventh man to achieve it. Burns sits three shots back on the overall leaderboard after starting the day at three-over-par.
Speaking to NBC after his round, Herbert discussed missing the putt on the final green. "I sort of thought it was a left-side putt, it jagged on me a little early, it was nowhere near the worst putt I hit today," Herbert said. "The nerves were going but I thought I hit it well. It's a tough one. That was probably the best chance I'll have to shoot 61."
When asked how he felt coming down the stretch with history on the line, Herbert admitted he was well aware of the circumstances. "I'm a golf geek so I knew the numbers, knew what people had shot," Herbert said. "It was hard to focus. It was kind of funny, I was walking up 18 saying I might as well throw my phone in the lake because this is going to be blown up for the next three days."
Championship History and Family Reaction
Herbert said he plans to spend time away from golf with his family following his round. "I've got my family here this week, my wife and her parents," Herbert said. "We'll just go home and chill out and try and take our minds off it, not get too caught up in this. It's a really cool feeling."
South African Branden Grace became the first man to shoot a 62 in a major championship at the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Americans Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele matched the mark at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023. Schauffele achieved the feat a second time a year later on his way to winning at Valhalla in May 2024, with Shane Lowry matching him that same week, before Herbert and Burns became the sixth and seventh golfers to reach the score on Friday.