Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns both carded 62s during the second round of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, matching the major championship scoring record. While the scores were identical, the paths to history differed: Herbert narrowly missed a par putt on the 18th to fall one stroke shy of a 61, while Burns secured his share of the record by holing out from a greenside bunker on his final hole.
Historical Context of the 62 Scoring Record
The 62 remains the benchmark for the lowest single-round score in men’s major championship history. According to tournament records, Branden Grace first set this mark in 2017, also at Royal Birkdale. Since then, the record has been matched four times across various majors. The feat has become increasingly common in recent years; Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele both carded 62s during the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. Schauffele repeated the performance at the 2024 PGA Championship, where Shane Lowry also recorded a 62 in the third round.
Did you know?
The lowest scores in professional major championships are not limited to the men’s game. Haeran Ryu recently set a new women’s major record with a 60 at the Evian Championship in France.
Divergent Paths to a Record-Tying Round
Herbert’s round was characterized by consistent precision until the final moments. He reached 9-under through 16 holes but faltered on the closing stretch. After missing a birdie opportunity on the par-5 17th, Herbert struck his approach on the 18th short, eventually missing a 5-foot par putt. “It wasn’t meant to be,” Herbert stated following his round. “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.”
Burns, meanwhile, staged a late-round rally. His momentum surged with a 40-foot birdie putt on the 16th, followed by a 20-foot conversion on the 17th. He capped the performance by holing a bunker shot on the 18th, marking the first birdie of the day on that specific hole.
Future Trends in Scoring Records
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the lowest score ever shot in a men’s major championship?
The record is 62, a score that has been achieved multiple times since Branden Grace first set it in 2017. - Did Lucas Herbert shoot a 61?
No. Herbert finished with a 62 after missing a 5-foot par putt on the 18th hole that would have resulted in a 61. - Who holds the women’s major championship scoring record?
Haeran Ryu holds the record with a 60, achieved at the Evian Championship.
Follow our golf newsletter for ongoing coverage of major championship performance trends and player statistics. Have you noticed a change in how professionals approach links-style courses? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Related reading