07/17/26 09:11:00
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07/17 09:09 CDT Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns match the major championship record
with 62s at the British Open
Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns match the major championship record with 62s at the
British Open
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) --- Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns each matched the major
championship scoring record of 62 on Friday in the British Open, with one
celebration far different from the other.
Herbert missed a 5-foot par putt on the tough 18th hole at Royal Birkdale that
would have given the Australian the record alone.
Two groups later, Burns capped off an astonishing birdie-birdie-birdie finish
when the American holed out from a greenside bunker for his 62 on the par-70
Royal Birkdale links. It was the first birdie of the day on the 18th hole.
The record was first set by Branden Grace in 2017, also at Royal Birkdale. It
had been matched four times since then at two majors.
The amazing rounds came one week after Haeran Ryu set the women's major record
with a 60 at the Evian Championship in France, where all lowest scores in LPGA
majors have been set.
Herbert's round was simply flawless until the final hole. He was 8-under par
through 12 holes, and he reached 9 under with his 7-foot birdie putt on No. 16.
After missing a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-5 17th, he came up short of the
18th green and putted to 5 feet below the cup.
But he pulled the par putt and bent over with his hands on knees, realizing his
shot at history.
"The nerves were going, but I thought I handled it well," Herbert said. "It
wasn't meant to be. So it was a strange one, knocking that in and knowing I
tied the record, but feeling like it might be one of the best chances we've
ever had to shoot a 61."
And Burns too
Before the spectators at Birkdale could stop buzzing, Burns came charging
through to join Herbert. Burns, who wasn't planning to be at The Open until his
wife gave birth to their second child earlier than expected, holed a 40-foot
birdie putt from off the 16th green, made a 20-foot birdie putt on the 17th and
then holed out from the bunker left of the 18th green.
It was reminiscent of Rickie Fowler becoming the first player with 62 in the
U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023, and two groups later Xander
Schauffele matching the record.
The following year, Schauffele shot 9-under 62 in the first round of the PGA
Championship at Valhalla, and Shane Lowry shot 62 in the third round.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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