Australian dynamo Lucas Herbert came agonisingly close to etching his name in golfing history yesterday at the 2026 Open Championship, only to have it snatched away by a cruel twist of fate. His scintillating second-round 62 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club was nothing short of breathtaking, yet ultimately proved insufficient to secure a record that had seemed tantalisingly within his grasp.
As he approached the par-4 18th, Herbert's precision and power were on full display – his scorecard a birdie-filled testament to his masterful display of iron play and putting. The crowd was wowed by his skill, commentators raving about the prospect of a 61: a feat that had never been achieved in men's major championships' 165-year history.
But it was on this very same final green where Herbert's dreams were cruelly shattered. A short putt for par slid past the hole, delivering a bogey and an audible groan from the crowd – the weight of that missed opportunity palpable as he slumped his shoulders in disappointment.
The current record for the lowest round in men's majors stands at 62, achieved by several illustrious names including Branden Grace (2017 Open Championship), Rickie Fowler, and Xander Schauffele (2023 US Open). Herbert's achievement yesterday has catapulted him into exclusive company, a true testament to his potential as a major contender.
The action at Royal Birkdale shows no signs of slowing down – Herbert's thrilling finish adding an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be a truly compelling tournament. Come the weekend, fans will be on tenterhooks, eager to see if he can bounce back from this setback and mount a serious challenge for that coveted Claret Jug.