Herbert misses putt for first 61 in men's major history, ties record with Burns at The Open
Lucas Herbert missed a 5-foot putt on the 18th that would have given him the first 61 in men's major history, settling for a 62 to lead The Open. Minutes later, Sam Burns holed out from a bunker for his own 62.
A putt for history
Herbert started the day at level par and tore through Royal Birkdale's front nine in 28 shots, equalling Denis Durnian's nine-hole Open record from 1983. He added birdies at the 11th, 12th and 16th to reach 9-under for the round. A birdie putt on the 17th slid by, but a par on the 18th would have secured the first 61 in men's major championship history. From the fairway, Herbert putted to five feet, then pulled his par attempt left. The bogey gave him an 8-under 62, tying the record first set by Branden Grace at the same course in 2017.
I'm absolutely disappointed and at the same time, so proud of today. Very, very proud to put my name on that list of guys that have shot 62 in a major championship.
Burns holes out from the sand
Two groups later, Sam Burns produced a finish that could not have been more different. The American, whose wife gave birth to their second child earlier than expected, allowing him to compete, birdied the 16th from 40 feet and the 17th from 20 feet. At the 18th, he holed out from a greenside bunker for a birdie, the first on that hole all day, and punched the air as the gallery roared. His 62 matched Herbert's and made them the sixth and seventh men to post the number in a major.
I've got a lot of emotions, whether its relief or pride, or disappointment.
Statistical perspective
The scoring average at Royal Birkdale on Friday was 69.79, meaning Herbert and Burns beat the field by roughly 7.8 strokes. While the rounds matched the record, they do not rank among the top 200 major rounds when adjusted for field strength, according to data cited by SAPO. The 62s posted by Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler at the 2023 U.S. Open were more than 1.5 strokes better relative to the field. Greg Norman's 63 at Royal St George's in 1986 remains the statistical benchmark, beating the field by over 10.5 shots. Herbert's personal best relative to a field came at a LIV Golf event in Mexico, where a 61 was 10.43 strokes better than the day's average.
- Herbert shoots 28, equalling the Open nine-hole record.
- Herbert birdies to reach 9-under for the round.
- Misses 5-foot par putt, cards 62.
- Holes out from greenside bunker for birdie and 62.
Leaderboard and cut line
Herbert's 62 moved him to 8-under for the tournament, two clear of overnight leader Jackson Suber, who carded a 69. Bryson DeChambeau sits one stroke further back at 5-under. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler posted a second consecutive 68, while Rory McIlroy rebounded from an opening 72 with a 67 to make the cut. Germany's Tim Wiedemeyer and Tiger Christensen both missed the weekend, each finishing well over par.
What they said
Herbert's caddie, Nick Pugh, said he would back his player "100 times out of 100" to hole the putt, but acknowledged the pressure of the moment. Herbert recalled being woken as a child by his father to watch Chad Campbell chase 62 at the 2009 Masters, and hoped a similar scene played out somewhere for his own round.
History has an evil or great way of doing this to people when history is on the line.
