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Herbert’s Historic 62: Matching the Major Record at The Open Championship 2026

TL;DR: Lucas Herbert delivered one of the most remarkable rounds in golf history at the 2026 Open Championship, shooting a 10-under-par 62 to match the all-time lowest round in a men’s major championship. He was joined by American Sam Burns, who chipped in during his closing stretch to also post a 62, making the pair the first two players to shoot 62 in the same major. The achievement places Herbert alongside an elite group of golfers who have redefined what is possible on golf’s biggest stages.

Lucas Herbert made history at The Open Championship on July 17, 2026, recording a 10-under-par 62 that matched the lowest round ever shot in a men’s major championship. The Australian’s blistering performance, combined with Sam Burns’ identical score, produced a day that will be remembered as one of the greatest single rounds in Open history.

Quick Answer

Lucas Herbert shot a 62 (10 under par) at The Open Championship in 2026, tying the all-time record for the lowest round in a men’s major. Sam Burns matched the feat on the same day by also posting a 62, including a dramatic chip-in. The previous major record of 63 had been matched 14 times in major championship history, but no player had ever broken through to 62 until this Open.

How Lucas Herbert Shot 62 at The Open

Herbert’s 62 was a masterclass in links golf. The Australian navigated the wind, firm fairways, and fast greens with surgical precision, posting birdie after birdie while keeping his mistakes to a minimum. He completed the round without a single bogey, reaching 10 under par and sending shockwaves through the leaderboard.

The round marked a career-defining moment for Herbert, who has been a steady presence on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour but had not yet broken through at a major championship. His previous best finish in a major had been a respectable top-25, making this 62 all the more stunning.

Herbert’s Round: Hole-by-Hole Brilliance

Herbert got off to a flying start with early birdies on the front nine, building momentum as the round progressed. He continued to attack pins on the back nine, converting multiple birdie opportunities and maintaining a clean card throughout all 18 holes. The bogey-free nature of the round set it apart from many previous low-scoring major performances.

According to ESPN, the 62 placed Herbert at the top of the leaderboard and into the history books simultaneously. The performance drew comparisons to some of the greatest individual rounds in Open Championship history, including Henrik Stenson’s famous 63 during his 2016 victory at Royal Troon.

Sam Burns Matches the Record With a Chip-In

Sam Burns provided a dramatic counterpoint to Herbert’s round by matching the 62 later in the day. The American, a multiple PGA Tour winner known for his aggressive style, chipped in during his closing stretch to reach the magic number. The chip-in added a layer of theatre to an already extraordinary day at The Open.

Burns’ performance demonstrated the kind of fearless shot-making that has defined his career. His ability to produce a moment of magic under pressure — the chip-in that brought him level with Herbert and the all-time record — encapsulated the high-risk, high-reward approach that makes him one of the most exciting players in professional golf.

What the Record Means in Context

Before Herbert and Burns’ twin 62s, the lowest round in a men’s major championship was 63. That score had been recorded 14 times across the four majors by players including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Jon Rahm. Breaking the 63 barrier was considered one of the final frontiers in major championship scoring.

Milestone	Score	Details
Previous major low (most recent)	63	Achieved 14 times across all four majors
New major record (2026 Open)	62	Shot by both Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns on the same day
Lowest round in Open history (prior)	63	Record held by multiple players including Paul Broadhurst and Branden Grace
Herbert’s score relative to par	-10	Bogey-free round

Why This 62 Is Historic for The Open Championship

The Open Championship has a unique identity among the four majors. Links golf demands creativity, adaptability, and precision in ways that parkland courses do not. Shooting 62 on a links layout — where wind can change hole by hole and firm conditions punish even slight misjudgments — represents an extraordinary achievement.

Previous Open Championship scoring records included Branden Grace’s 62 at Royal Birkdale in 2017, which was widely celebrated. Herbert’s matching of that score, along with Burns’ simultaneous 62, reinforces the Open’s reputation as a venue where history is written on a regular basis. The fact that two players achieved this on the same day makes the 2026 Open unique in major championship history.

Key Factors Behind the Low Scoring

Several conditions likely contributed to the historic scoring at this Open:

• Wind conditions: Relatively calm winds compared to previous Open Championships created more favorable scoring opportunities
• Pin positions: Accessible pin placements allowed aggressive players to attack birdie opportunities throughout the round
• Course setup: The R&A’s setup may have allowed for more birdie chances while maintaining challenge in other areas of the course
• Firm and fast conditions: Links-style conditions rewarded players who could control trajectory and use the ground game effectively
• Confidence and momentum: When players see low numbers on the leaderboard, it can create a contagious effect that unlocks even lower scores

Lucas Herbert’s Career: From Melbourne to The Open Record

Lucas Herbert, born in Bendigo, Australia, turned professional in 2015 and has steadily built his reputation on the international stage. He won the 2019 ISPS Handa Melbourne World Golf Championship and has claimed multiple victories on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour. His 2021 victory at the Dubai Desert Classic showcased his ability to compete at the highest level.

Herbert’s journey to the major record has been marked by consistent improvement. He refined his links golf skills through regular Open Championship appearances and developed a reputation for his exceptional iron play and putting under pressure. The 62 represents the culmination of years of dedicated work and growing confidence on the biggest stages in golf.

How Players Have Previously Shot 63 in Majors

The 63 in a major was long considered the benchmark of extraordinary rounds. Notable instances include:

1. Jack Nicklaus — shot 63 at the 1980 U.S. Open at Baltusrol, finishing second
2. John Daly — posted 63 at the 1993 Open Championship at Royal St George’s
3. Paul Broadhurst — recorded 63 at the 1990 Open Championship at Royal St Andrews
4. Greg Norman — fired 63 at the 1986 Open Championship at Turnberry
5. Tiger Woods — shot 63 at the 2007 PGA Championship at Southern Hills
6. Rickie Fowler — posted 63 at the 2023 U.S. Open
7. Jon Rahm — recorded 63 at the 2023 Masters

Herbert and Burns now stand alone in an even more exclusive club: the only players to shoot 62 in a major championship.

How Does This Compare to the All-Time Lowest Major Scores?

The 62 by Herbert and Burns is not just a record — it is a complete rewrite of the scoring ceiling in men’s major championship golf. For decades, the conversation around major scoring centered on whether anyone could break 63. The answer, delivered on the same day by two different players, was emphatic.

The significance extends beyond the number itself. A 62 in a major requires a player to avoid bogeys entirely while converting a high percentage of birdie opportunities. Herbert’s bogey-free 62 was particularly impressive because it combined aggressive scoring with disciplined course management.

What This Means for the 2026 Open Championship Leaderboard

Herbert’s and Burns’ historic rounds reshaped the leaderboard at The Open Championship. Both players surged to the top of the standings, creating an intriguing battle heading into the weekend. The low scoring from multiple players suggests that birdies will remain available for those willing to take aggressive lines and trust their putting.

For the chasing pack, the 62s created significant pressure. Players who had been comfortable found themselves needing to match historically low scoring to keep pace with Herbert and Burns. This dynamic is reminiscent of other Opens where a single extraordinary round reshaped the entire tournament narrative.

Key Takeaways

• Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns both shot 62 at the 2026 Open Championship, matching the lowest round ever recorded in a men’s major championship
• Herbert’s bogey-free 62 was a masterclass in links golf precision and course management
• Sam Burns achieved his 62 with a dramatic chip-in during the closing stretch of his round
• The 62 breaks the previous benchmark of 63, which had been achieved 14 times across major championship history
• This marks the first time two players shot 62 in the same major championship, making the 2026 Open unique in golf history

Conclusion

Herbert’s historic 62 at The Open Championship 2026 represents a defining moment in men’s major golf. Alongside Sam Burns, who matched the score with a dramatic chip-in, Herbert rewrote the record books by producing the lowest round ever recorded in a major. The performance showcased Herbert’s world-class talent, his growth as a competitor, and his ability to perform under the immense pressure of links golf on the biggest stage. As the 2026 Open Championship unfolds, the 62 will stand as the performance that redefined what is possible in major championship golf.

The Bottom Line

Lucas Herbert’s 62 at the 2026 Open Championship is one of the greatest individual rounds in major championship history. By matching the all-time low score alongside Sam Burns, both players achieved something that had eluded legends of the game for decades. The round cements Herbert’s status as a genuine major championship contender and adds a remarkable new chapter to The Open’s storied history. For golf fans and players alike, Herbert’s 62 at The Open serves as proof that even in a sport with over a century of recorded history, new milestones remain within reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The lowest round in a men’s major championship is 62, achieved by Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns at the 2026 Open Championship. Before this, the record was 63, which had been matched 14 times by players including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Jon Rahm.

How did Lucas Herbert shoot 62 at The Open?

Lucas Herbert shot a bogey-free 10-under-par 62 at The Open Championship in 2026. He attacked pins throughout the round, converted multiple birdie opportunities, and maintained precise course management to complete the round without a single dropped shot on a links course.

Did Sam Burns also shoot 62 at the 2026 Open?

Yes, Sam Burns matched Herbert’s 62 later in the same day. Burns achieved his 62 with a dramatic chip-in during the closing stretch of his round, joining Herbert as the only players to shoot 62 in a men’s major championship.

How many times had 63 been shot in a major before the 2026 Open?

The score of 63 had been recorded 14 times in men’s major championship history before the 2026 Open. Players who shot 63 in a major include Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, John Daly, Tiger Woods, Branden Grace, and Jon Rahm, among others.

What makes a 62 at The Open Championship so difficult?

A 62 at The Open is exceptionally difficult due to the links golf conditions. Wind, firm fairways, fast greens, and unpredictable bounces demand creative shot-making and precise execution. Links courses also penalize aggressive play more severely than parkland layouts, making bogey-free rounds at 62 nearly unthinkable before Herbert achieved it.

Has anyone ever shot lower than 63 in a major before the 2026 Open?

No, no one had shot lower than 63 in a men’s major championship before the 2026 Open. The score of 63 was the longstanding benchmark, and Herbert and Burns’ 62s represent the first time any player broke through to 62 in major championship history.

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Related: How Herbert Burns Tied the Record at The Open Championship 2026