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Australian stuns The Open with equal lowest round in major golf history

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Australian golfer Lucas Herbert equaled the lowest-ever round score of 62 in a men's major golf championship at The Open.
  • Herbert's stunning performance, including six birdies on his front nine, gave him the overall lead by two strokes.
  • He joins an elite group of golfers who have achieved a 62 in a major, narrowly missing a chance to set a new record with a bogey on the final hole.

Australian golfer Lucas Herbert has achieved a historic milestone at The Open, equaling the lowest-ever round score of 62 in a men's major championship. His exceptional performance at Royal Birkdale propelled him into the overall lead, two strokes ahead of his nearest competitors.

There's plenty of anxiety and whatnot with the position that I'm in, and what comes with it, but I didn't enter this tournament to not experience those feelings.

โ€” Lucas HerbertLucas Herbert discussing the pressure and anxiety of competing for the lead at The Open.

Herbert, who began the second round at even par, carded an astonishing 62, featuring six birdies on his opening nine holes. This remarkable feat places him in a select group of golfers, including Brendan Grace, Rickie Fowler, Shane Lowry, and Xander Schauffele, who have previously shot a 62 in a major.

I think everyone gets anxious. It's just about dealing with it.

โ€” Lucas HerbertLucas Herbert on managing anxiety during high-stakes golf tournaments.

Despite a bogey on the par-4 18th hole, which prevented him from setting a new record, Herbert expressed that the anxiety associated with competing at this level is part of what makes winning a major championship so rewarding. He acknowledged the mental challenges of the sport, having previously stepped away due to mental exhaustion.

I didn't sign up here to come play this tournament stress-free and cruise on through; the thing that makes winning an Open Championship so amazing is the anxiety you've got to deal with throughout the entire championship.

โ€” Lucas HerbertLucas Herbert explaining his perspective on the role of anxiety in major championship golf.

Herbert's impressive round was aided by warm and sunny conditions on the Southport course. He now leads by two shots over American Jackson Suber and fellow Americans Ryan Gerard and Cameron Young. Sam Burns also shot a 62 and is in third place, three shots behind Herbert.

If any player gets up here and says they're not, they're lying.

โ€” Lucas HerbertLucas Herbert asserting that all players experience anxiety in major championships.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.