The Shocking Tie That Defined The Open 2026: Herbert Burns’ Story

Updated July 17, 2026 8 min read

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Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns Tie Record with 62 at 2026 Open Championship

Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns Tie Major Championship Record with 62 at The Open 2026

TL;DR: Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns both fired historic second-round scores of 62 at Royal Birkdale during The Open Championship 2026, tying the all-time major championship scoring record. The two players delivered stunning morning rounds that electrified the galleries and redefined the leaderboard heading into the weekend at one of golf’s most storied links courses.

Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns delivered one of the most remarkable performances in Open Championship history on Friday at Royal Birkdale, each firing rounds of 62 to tie the all-time major championship scoring record. The 2026 Open Championship second round will be remembered as the day two golfers separated themselves from the field in spectacular fashion, posting identical numbers on the scoreboard that left fans, commentators, and fellow competitors in awe.

Quick Answer

Lucas Herbert of Australia and Sam Burns of the United States each shot rounds of 62 (9 under par) during the second round of The Open Championship 2026 at Royal Birkdale. Their scores tied the lowest round ever recorded in a major championship. Both players surged up the leaderboard during the morning wave, capitalizing on favorable scoring conditions on a historic links course that has hosted The Open multiple times.

What Happened at Royal Birkdale During Round 2?

Friday morning at the 2026 Open Championship produced scenes rarely witnessed in major championship golf. As the second round unfolded at Royal Birkdale, both Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns separated themselves from the rest of the field with rounds that will go down in golf history.

Herbert, the talented Australian, caught fire early and never cooled off. Burns, the American star known for his aggressive style, matched him shot for shot during the morning wave. By the time both players completed their rounds, the scoreboard read 62 for each of them, tying the all-time record for the lowest round in major championship history.

How Did Lucas Herbert Achieve His Historic Round?

Lucas Herbert’s second-round 62 at The Open 2026 was a masterclass in links golf precision and scoring. The Australian navigated the firm, fast fairways of Royal Birkdale with surgical accuracy, converting birdie opportunities while avoiding the pot bunkers and thick rough that make this course so punishing. Herbert’s ball-striking was in peak form throughout the round, allowing him to attack pins and build momentum from the early holes. According to PGA Tour data, Herbert’s performance was a career-defining moment on the grandest stage in the sport.

How Did Sam Burns Match the Record?

Sam Burns matched Herbert’s historic feat with a similarly dominant display during the morning wave. Burns, already a multiple PGA Tour winner, demonstrated the short-game artistry and putting touch required to go low on a links course. His round of 62 put him squarely in contention at a major championship, a stage where he had previously shown flashes of brilliance. Burns’ ability to handle pressure and execute under championship conditions underscored his status as one of the elite players in professional golf heading into the weekend.

What Is the Major Championship Scoring Record?

The major championship scoring record refers to the lowest 18-hole round ever posted in one of golf’s four major tournaments: The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. Before the 2026 Open, this record had been shared by several legendary players across different eras of the sport. By shooting 62, Herbert and Burns added their names to one of the most exclusive lists in professional golf. The record represents the pinnacle of single-round performance in the most pressure-packed events on the golf calendar.

Why Does Royal Birkdale Suit Low Scoring?

Royal Birkdale has a reputation as one of the fairest and most well-designed links courses on The Open rota. Unlike some links layouts that penalize even slightly errant shots with blind lies and severe uneven bounces, Birkdale rewards precise ball-striking with generous fairways and accessible green complexes when conditions allow.

Several factors contributed to the low scoring during the 2026 second round:

Relatively calm morning conditions: The wind, which can reach gale force on the Lancashire coast, was manageable during Friday’s morning wave, giving players the opportunity to attack pin positions with more confidence.
Soft greens from overnight moisture: Early-morning conditions at Royal Birkdale allowed approach shots to hold the putting surfaces, creating more birdie looks than players typically receive at a links major.
Firm and fast fairways: The dry summer conditions in England produced running fairways that added distance to tee shots and gave players shorter clubs into greens.
Strategic course design: Royal Birkdale’s routing rewards accurate tee shots, and players who found the right angles had clear looks at difficult pin positions throughout the round.

Key Takeaways

Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns each shot 62 in the second round, tying the all-time major championship scoring record.
The historic rounds came during the morning wave at The Open Championship 2026 at Royal Birkdale on Friday, July 17, 2026.
Both players surged into contention on the leaderboard, positioning themselves for a potential major championship title heading into the weekend.
The performance highlighted the unique scoring opportunities that links golf can present when conditions are favorable.
Royal Birkdale delivered one of the most memorable days in Open Championship history, joining the annals of legendary moments at the tournament.

The Impact on the 2026 Open Championship Leaderboard

Herbert’s and Burns’ rounds of 62 dramatically reshaped the leaderboard at the 2026 Open Championship. After the first round, the leaderboard was tightly packed with no player holding a commanding advantage. The second-round heroics from both players created significant separation and set up a compelling weekend of golf at Royal Birkdale.

The psychological impact of posting a 62 in a major championship cannot be overstated. Both Herbert and Burns would have carried enormous confidence into their third rounds, while the rest of the field faced the daunting task of making up ground against players operating at their peak. According to ESPN’s coverage, the sights, sounds, and shots from Friday’s second round were among the most dramatic the Open has ever produced.

Historical Context: Major Championship Rounds of 62

Shooting 62 in a major championship is one of the rarest achievements in professional golf. Before the 2026 Open, only a handful of players had ever recorded a round of 62 in any major tournament. The feat requires a combination of exceptional ball-striking, clutch putting, favorable conditions, and the mental fortitude to maintain focus over 18 holes with the entire golf world watching.

Player	Event	Course	Year
Branden Grace	The Open Championship	Royal Birkdale	2017
Lucas Herbert	The Open Championship	Royal Birkdale	2026
Sam Burns	The Open Championship	Royal Birkdale	2026

The fact that Royal Birkdale has now been the site of multiple historic low rounds underscores its unique place in Open Championship lore. The course continues to produce memorable moments that define careers and captivate audiences around the world.

What This Means for Herbert and Burns’ Careers

For Lucas Herbert, the round of 62 at The Open 2026 represents the kind of breakout performance that can elevate a player’s career to a new level. The Australian had established himself as a capable PGA Tour competitor, but a historic major championship round on the sport’s biggest stage announced him as a genuine force in world golf. If Herbert were to go on to win the Claret Jug, it would cement this week as the defining moment of his professional career.

For Sam Burns, the 62 reinforced his reputation as one of the most talented players of his generation. Burns had already proven he could win on the PGA Tour, but a historic performance at The Open demonstrated his ability to compete and thrive in the unique challenges of links golf. The American’s connection with major championship golf deepened significantly on Friday, and a strong weekend finish would establish him as a perennial contender in the biggest events.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns each shot a second-round score of 62 (9 under par) at The Open Championship 2026 at Royal Birkdale. Their rounds tied the all-time record for the lowest 18-hole round in major championship history.

When did Herbert and Burns set the record?

Herbert and Burns set the record on Friday, July 17, 2026, during the second round of The Open Championship. Both players competed in the morning wave at Royal Birkdale and completed their rounds before the afternoon groups had finished.

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

The lowest round ever recorded in a major championship is 62, which equals 9 under par on most standard par-71 or par-72 courses. This record was first set by Branden Grace at the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and has now been matched by Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns at the same venue in 2026.

How many players have shot 62 in a major?

Before the 2026 Open, Branden Grace was the only player confirmed to have shot 62 in a major championship (at the 2017 Open). The 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale added two more names to this exclusive list with Herbert and Burns both carding 62s during the second round.

What makes Royal Birkdale unique for low scoring?

Royal Birkdale is widely considered one of the fairest links courses on The Open rota. It features generous fairways, well-designed green complexes, and a routing that rewards precision over raw power. When conditions are relatively calm and greens are receptive, the course can produce historic scoring, as demonstrated by the multiple rounds of 62 recorded there.

Did Herbert or Burns go on to win The Open 2026?

The tournament continued after the second round, and the final results depended on the third and fourth rounds at Royal Birkdale. Heading into the weekend, both Herbert and Burns were positioned as strong contenders for the Claret Jug following their historic second rounds.

The Bottom Line

The 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale delivered one of the most extraordinary days in major championship golf. Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns both firing rounds of 62 to tie the all-time major championship scoring record is the kind of moment that transcends the sport and enters the broader conversation about athletic excellence. Their performance on the Lancashire links redefined what was possible at a major championship and provided fans with a day they will never forget. The Herbert-Burns tie for the scoring record at The Open 2026 stands as a testament to the talent, preparation, and fearless execution that defines the highest level of professional golf.