Two record-equalling 62s at The Open – and two different reactions

Developed over time first seen 4 months ago

BBC Sport · 4 months ago

At Royal Birkdale, Australia's Lucas Herbert and American Sam Burns both carded eight-under-par rounds of 62 during the second round of The Open, equalling the record for the lowest round in men's major championship history. Herbert had a putt on the final hole to become the first player ever to shoot 61 in a major, but he missed it and made bogey, while Burns capped his own record-equalling round with a dramatic chip-in birdie from a greenside bunker shortly afterwards.

The two players became only the sixth and seventh men to shoot 62 at a major, joining South Africa's Branden Grace, who also achieved the feat at Royal Birkdale in 2017. Herbert's 62 gave him the clubhouse lead on eight under par, while Burns sits three shots back on five under after a rocky start of three over on Friday; overnight leader Jackson Suber, who added a 69 to his opening 65, lies between them on six under. Herbert, who plays on the LIV Golf circuit, admitted to feeling "relief, pride and disappointment" despite his historic round, whereas Burns said he had been unaware he was closing in on the record at all.

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In short

Herbert and Burns both shot 62 at The Open, equalling the major record.
Herbert missed a putt on 18 that would have set an outright record of 61.
Burns holed a bunker chip-in birdie to match Herbert's score.

How this story developed

4 months ago At Royal Birkdale, Australia's Lucas Herbert and American Sam Burns both carded eight-under-par rounds of 62 during the second round of The Open, equalling the record for the lowest round in men's major championship history.

17 Jul, 16:15BBC Sport Herbert feels 'all the emotions' after record-equalling round at The Open
17 Jul, 16:15BBC Sport Two record-equalling 62s at The Open – and two different reactions

Explained simply

The Open is professional golf's oldest major championship, one of four most prestigious annual tournaments contested by the world's best golfers. These tournaments are particularly demanding as they are played on challenging courses against elite competition.

Lucas Herbert of Australia and Sam Burns of the United States both recorded rounds of 62 in the second round at Royal Birkdale this week. This score, ten strokes below par, equals the record for the lowest round ever shot in a men's major championship.

Shooting such a low score in a major is exceptionally rare, having occurred only seven times in professional golf history. The previous achievement of this score was at Royal Birkdale in 2017. Such exceptional rounds can significantly improve a player's position in a major tournament.