It was a dramatic day at the 2026 British Open. The round two leader is Lucas Herbert of Bendigo, Australia.
What we saw from Herbert was electrifying to say the least. The LIV veteran shot a score of eight-under-par, and his score of 62 was tied for the best ever score in the history of a men’s major. But, wait. Herbert was not the only one to score 62 on Friday. American Sam Burns of Shreveport, Louisiana also went -8 on Friday and is tied for fifth place at -5.
To put what Herbert and Burns have done into perspective is extraordinary. Only four other golfers have shot a 62. They are Xander Schauffele of San Diego, California (first round of the 2023 United States Open and first round of 2024 PGA Championship), Rickie Fowler of Murrieta, California (first round of the 2023 United States Open), Branden Grace of Pretoria, South Africa (third round of the 2017 British Open), and Shane Lowry of Clara, Ireland (third round of the 2024 PGA Championship).
Herbert had nine birdies and one bogey. He birdied the first, second, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, 11th, 12th, and 16th holes, and bogeyed the 18th hole. This came after a disappointing first round where Herbert shot a score of even par. In round one, he had two birdies and two bogeys. Herbert birdied the 11th and 17th holes, and bogeyed the second and sixth holes.
On Friday, Burns had eight birdies and zero bogeys. He birdied the second, fourth, 10th, 11th, 13th, 16th, 17th and 18th holes. The birdie on the 18th hole came from a bunker.
The other massive storyline on Friday was about two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau of Modesto, California. DeChambeau, who won the United States Open in 2020 and 2024, finished his round at -7, and one stroke back of Herbert. However, DeChambeau was given a two stroke penalty for trying to improve his lie when he shot his golf ball in the rough on the fifth hole. He unsuccessfully argued to officials that the fescue he stomped on was not in line with his swing.
As a result, DeChambeau is tied for fifth place with South Korean Si Woo Kim and Burns at -5 instead of being alone in second place. Those golfers in second place now at -6 are Americans Jackson Suber, Cameron Young and Ryan Gerard.
