SOUTHPORT, England — Australia's Lucas Herbert surged into the halfway lead at the 154th Open Championship on Friday after carding a record-equalling 62 at Royal Birkdale, matching the lowest single-round score in men's major championship history and moving two shots clear of the field.
Herbert, 30, appeared on course to become the first player to shoot a 61 in a men's major after reaching the 18th needing only a par. But a wayward drive forced him to scramble, and he missed a five-foot par putt before tapping in for bogey and an eight-under-par 62.
"I'm absolutely disappointed, and at the same time, so proud of today," Herbert said after his round.
Herbert's round included a front-nine 28, equalling the lowest opening nine ever recorded at The Open, before he added further birdies on the inward half to reach 10 under for the day before the closing setback.
American Sam Burns matched Herbert's 62 less than half an hour later, producing a birdie-birdie-birdie finish capped by a hole-out from a greenside bunker at the 18th. Burns later said he was unaware he had tied the major championship scoring record when he completed his round.
The pair became the sixth and seventh instances of a 62 in men's major championship history. The mark was first established by Branden Grace at Royal Birkdale during the 2017 Open and has since been equalled several times, including by Xander Schauffele and Shane Lowry in recent majors.
After 36 holes, Herbert led on eight under par, two strokes ahead of Americans Jackson Suber, Cameron Young and Ryan Gerard. Burns and South Korea's Si Woo Kim were a further shot back at five under.
Bryson DeChambeau also finished at five under after tournament officials assessed him a two-stroke penalty for improving the conditions affecting his ball on the fifth hole, changing his second-round score from 66 to 68.
The championship continues on Saturday with Herbert seeking his first major title while holding the 36-hole lead into the third round.
