Lucas Herbert just dropped an eight-under 62 at Royal Birkdale, tying the best single-round score ever in a men’s major, and honestly, the guy was one short putt from making solo history! But get this, Sam Burns didn’t just sit back; he fired off his own eight-under 62, proving this British Open is not here to play nice.
Herbert and Burns Set Royal Birkdale Ablaze
Dude, you gotta understand, what Herbert and Burns pulled off on Friday was absolutely insane. Herbert, the 36-hole leader, was literally on the verge of breaking the all-time major single-round scoring record. He rolls up to the 18th, facing a short putt for a 61, and it just pulls left. Like, heartbreaker. He taps in for par, records his only bogey of the round, and settles for the 62 and sole possession of the lead. But what a round, right? He blasted out of the gates with six birdies on the first nine, including three straight to kick things off. Then added three more on the back.
Burns, not to be outdone, also hit an eight-under 62. He started a bit average, seven pars and two birdies on the front, but then the guy just went off on the back nine, draining six birdies. These two absolute legends became only the fifth and sixth golfers to ever card a 62 at any men’s major championship. Now they’ve both got a real shot at their first major titles. Nine players shot 66 or better, so this weekend is gonna be wild.
DeChambeau Rises as Champions Fall Flat
And get this, while Herbert and Burns were rewriting the record books, Bryson DeChambeau surged into second place, just one shot back of Herbert. The guy shot a four-under 66, finishing strong with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes. Five birdies, one bogey, a heck of a round. This is a complete 180-degree flip for Bryson, who missed the first three major cuts of 2026. Remember, he was in the top 10 for six of eight majors in 2024 and 2025. Is he back? It sure looks like it.
Meanwhile, the two most recent major winners, Wyndham Clark, the U.S. Open champion, and Aaron Rai, the PGA champion, are packing their bags. They both missed the cut by a combined three shots! Clark had a wild second round, even-par, but started with back-to-back double bogeys on the second and third holes. Even a late charge with two birdies and an eagle wasn’t enough to dig him out of a three-over hole. Rai just couldn’t find consistent birdies, only two over 36 holes, which isn’t gonna cut it on a course like Royal Birkdale that’s letting guys go low.
So, we’re heading into the weekend with Herbert clinging to a slim lead, Burns right there, and guys like DeChambeau, Cameron Young, Scottie Scheffler, and Ludvig Aberg all within striking distance. With the course playing fast and low, it’s gonna be an absolute clinic to watch who lifts that Claret Jug. You don’t wanna miss Saturday, folks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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