Herbert stuns with record-equalling round at British Open but final putt will haunt him forever

July 17, 2026
9:47 pm

Updated July 17, 2026 — 11:47pm,

Southport: Lucas Herbert has stunned the golfing world by recording the equal lowest round at a men’s major, but missed a short putt on the final hole that would have seen him card the best score in history.

The Australian had a phenomenal day at the British Open on Friday, recording eight birdies in 12 holes – and nine in 16 – to shoot an eight-under 62 to take the outright lead and put himself in contention for the Claret Jug.

Australian golfer Lucas Herbert. Getty Images

When Herbert finished his round, he held a two-shot advantage over American Jackson Suber at six-under.

The 30-year-old, who plays for Australian team Ripper GC on the LIV Golf circuit, decimated the field at Royal Birkdale Golf Club by going through his opening nine holes in an astonishing 28 shots.

After beginning the day at even par alongside Australians Min Woo Lee and Cameron John, five shots off the pace, Herbert’s six-under par effort across his opening nine holes featured six birdies, including a brilliant 11-metre double-breaker putt on the par-three 7th.

He hit every green in regulation until the par four 9th, where he drained a putt off the green to remain at the outright leader ahead of American Jackson Suber.

Herbert’s 28-stroke opening nine equalled the record at a British Open, level with Denis Durnian’s effort on the front nine on the same course in 1983.

His excellent form continued after the turn; Herbert made birdies on the 11th and 12th holes to take a two-shot lead.

Another birdie on the 16th hole took Herbert to nine-under with two holes remaining, meaning that if he could par the final two holes, he would shoot a record 61. Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele (twice) and Shane Lowry are the only men to shoot a 62 in a major.

Herbert belted a beautiful drive on the par-five 17th before an errant second shot saw him left of the green with a bad lie. However, a magnificent chip in front of an enormous crowd who’d gathered to watch him play gave Herbert a decent chance of a birdie, but the putt just missed.

On the par-four 18th, Herbert went right with his tee shot and was given a free drop due to the ball being under a steel fence. His second shot went short of the green, and he putted to just over a metre short of the hole.

With a par putt to seal a round of 61 and a place in the record books, Herbert missed it left. It was a putt he would expect to make and an anticlimactic end to one of the most memorable rounds in the history of golf.

The Victorian has made the cut twice at the British Open from five appearances since 2018, with a best finish of tied 15th in 2022 when Australian teammate Cam Smith won the championship. It was Herbert’s best finish at a major.

While there is a lot of golf to be played – rounds will be played on Saturday and Sunday – Herbert’s remarkable second round has been the talk of the tournament.

Smith, who shot a one-under 69 on Friday to sit at one-over, is the only Australian to win the British Open since Ian Baker-Finch in 1991.

“I’m keeping an eye on the leaderboard obviously, but that’s some pretty good golf,” said Smith at the 12-hole mark of Herbert’s round.

“Pretty incredible. Hopefully he keeps it going on the back nine. He’s so confident at the moment, once he gets his irons going, it’s pretty cool to watch.”