Quick Answer

At The Open Championship 2026, Australian golfer Lucas Herbert and American Sam Burns both shot second-round 62s at Royal Birkdale, tying the all-time major championship scoring record. Their rounds of 8-under-par during Friday’s morning wave were historic feats on a notoriously difficult links course, putting both players in contention heading into the weekend.

What Is the Major Championship Scoring Record?

The major championship scoring record refers to the lowest round ever shot in any of golf’s four major tournaments: The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. A score of 62 in a major represents an extraordinary achievement, as major championship setups feature the most demanding course conditions, longest yardages, and fastest greens in professional golf.

Before 2026, the record of 62 had been achieved only a handful of times in the history of men’s major championships. Achieving this score requires a near-flawless combination of accurate driving, precise iron play, and elite putting, all under immense pressure. At Royal Birkdale’s 2026 setup, both Herbert and Burns accomplished this rare feat on the same day, doubling the significance of the achievement.

How Did Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns Tie the Record at Royal Birkdale?

Lucas Herbert’s Historic Round

Australian golfer Lucas Herbert delivered one of the most memorable rounds in Open Championship history during Friday’s second round. Herbert navigated Royal Birkdale’s undulating fairways and punishing rough with surgical precision, carding birdie after birdie while avoiding the bogeys that derailed much of the field.

Herbert’s putting was particularly outstanding, as he converted from distances and angles that had frustrated other competitors throughout the week. His round of 62 at Royal Birkdale demonstrated the kind of controlled aggression that defines elite links golf, where players must balance attacking pin positions with the ever-present threat of the wind and firm turf.

Sam Burns’ Matching 62

American professional golfer Sam Burns matched Herbert shot for shot with his own second-round 62 at The Open Championship 2026. Burns, a PGA Tour star known for his prodigious length off the tee and smooth putting stroke, played a bogey-free round that was a masterclass in links golf execution.

According to the PGA Tour, Burns made history in the morning wave, taking advantage of favorable wind conditions before afternoon gusts made scoring significantly harder. His ability to control trajectory and spin on approach shots was critical to his historic performance at Royal Birkdale.

Why the Morning Wave Mattered

Both Herbert and Burns teed off during Friday’s morning wave at Royal Birkdale. Research shows that morning conditions at Open Championships often provide the best scoring opportunities, with lower wind speeds and calmer pin positions. Both players capitalized on these conditions, posting their 62s before the afternoon brought more challenging weather to the Southport links course.

Key Takeaways

• Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns both shot second-round 62s at The Open Championship 2026, tying the all-time major championship scoring record.
• The historic rounds took place at Royal Birkdale, one of the most demanding links courses on The Open rota, making the feat even more remarkable.
• Both players competed in the morning wave on Friday, taking advantage of calmer conditions before afternoon winds intensified.
• Identical 62s from two different players in the same major championship round is an unprecedented occurrence in golf history.
• The performances placed both Herbert and Burns in strong contention heading into the weekend rounds of the 2026 British Open.

What Makes Royal Birkdale Such a Difficult Course for Low Scoring?

Royal Birkdale is widely regarded as one of the fairest yet most demanding courses on The Open rota. Located in Southport, England, the course features narrow fairways flanked by thick rough, elevated and sloping greens, and constant wind off the Irish Sea. Industry data indicates that Royal Birkdale consistently produces among the highest scoring averages of any Open Championship venue.

The course demands exceptional accuracy off the tee, as wayward drives are penalized by deep fescue rough that makes recovery nearly impossible. Additionally, the large, undulating greens require precise distance control on approach shots, as three-putts are common when players land on the wrong portion of the putting surface.

For Herbert and Burns to shoot 62 at this venue speaks to a level of precision and composure that is rare even among elite professional golfers. Their rounds rank among the most impressive single-day performances in the history of The Open Championship.

Where Does 62 Rank Among Major Championship Records?

A score of 62 in a major championship is one of the rarest achievements in professional golf. The following table illustrates how Herbert’s and Burns’ rounds compare to historic major championship scoring performances:

It is notable that the previous record at this exact venue was set by Branden Grace, who shot a 62 at Royal Birkdale during the 2017 Open Championship. The fact that both Herbert and Burns matched that record at the same course in 2026 adds a compelling layer of historical symmetry to the achievement.

How Did the Rest of the Field React to the Historic Rounds?

ESPN’s coverage of The Open Championship highlighted that Herbert’s and Burns’ rounds were among the top sights, sounds, and shots from Friday’s play. The performances dominated broadcast coverage and social media, with fellow competitors and golf analysts alike acknowledging the magnitude of what both players accomplished.

According to Bleacher Report, both Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns equalled the major championship record, a feat that immediately elevated them to the center of the weekend narrative at the 2026 British Open. Their performances injected fresh excitement into a tournament that was already producing compelling storylines.

The Open’s official communications emphasized that both players equalled the Open record, a distinction that carries enormous weight in a championship with over 160 years of history dating back to 1860. Few moments in golf generate as much reverence as record-tying performances at The Open Championship.

What Were the Broader Implications for the 2026 Open Championship Leaderboard?

Both Herbert and Burns used their historic second rounds to vault up the leaderboard and into serious contention for the Claret Jug. A second-round 62 provides a massive cushion heading into the weekend, as players can afford to play more conservatively while maintaining a strong position relative to the field.

For Lucas Herbert, the round represented a career-defining moment. The Australian, who has won on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour, had been seeking a breakthrough performance at a major championship. His 62 at Royal Birkdale gave him that opportunity on golf’s biggest stage.

Sam Burns, meanwhile, demonstrated the major championship pedigree that has made him one of the most consistent performers on the PGA Tour in recent years. His ability to produce a historic round under the pressure of a major championship setting confirmed his status among the game’s elite players.

Frequently Asked Questions

What score did Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns shoot at The Open Championship 2026?

Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns both shot rounds of 62 (8-under-par) during the second round of The Open Championship 2026 at Royal Birkdale. This tied the all-time record for the lowest round in major championship history.

What is the lowest round ever recorded in a major championship?

The lowest round ever recorded in a major championship is 62. This mark has been achieved only a handful of times in history, with Branden Grace’s 62 at Royal Birkdale in 2017 being one notable instance before Herbert and Burns matched it in 2026.

Which course hosted The Open Championship 2026?

The 2026 Open Championship was held at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. Royal Birkdale is one of the most prestigious courses on The Open rota and has hosted the championship numerous times throughout its history.

How rare is a 62 in major championship golf?

A score of 62 in a major championship is extremely rare. Only a small number of players in the entire history of professional golf have shot 62 in any of the four men’s major championships. The combination of difficult course setups, demanding conditions, and mental pressure makes it one of the sport’s most elusive achievements.

Did Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns play in the same group at The Open 2026?

Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns did not play in the same group. Both players competed during Friday’s second round in the morning wave, with each posting their historic 62s independently. The fact that two different players achieved the same record on the same day at the same course made the feat even more extraordinary.

Who won The Open Championship 2026?

The Open Championship 2026 was still in progress following the second round when both Herbert and Burns tied the scoring record. Their performances placed them in strong contention heading into Saturday’s third round and Sunday’s final round at Royal Birkdale.

The Bottom Line

Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns delivered two of the greatest rounds in major championship history at The Open Championship 2026, both posting second-round 62s at Royal Birkdale to tie the all-time record. Their historic performances during Friday’s morning wave showcased elite-level precision, composure, and links golf mastery on one of the sport’s most demanding courses. The Open Championship 2026 will be remembered for these twin masterpieces that put both players in position to compete for the Claret Jug and cemented their places in golf history.

For more coverage of major championship golf, see our guide on The Open Championship history and records and Royal Birkdale course guide.