Record rounds at The Open

For nine years, Branden Grace stood alone as the only man to have shot 62 in The Open – he now has to share that honour with Lucas Herbert, Sam Burns and Ryan Fox following an unforgettable two days at Royal Birkdale.

Grace [below] registered his remarkable tally in the third round in 2017 (also at Royal Birkdale) and it was then the lowest round in any men’s major.

Rickie Fowler (US Open 2023), Xander Schauffele (US Open 2023, PGA Championship 2024) and Shane Lowry (PGA Championship 2024) each carded 62s in future majors – but no-one had matched that magical score at The Open. Until now.

Herbert was level-par for his opening round at The 154th Open – but started his second round like a train, sinking birdies in each of his first three holes.

Three more followed at 5, 7 and 9 for an outward 28 – the joint-lowest nine-hole score in Open history, alongside Denis Durnian’s effort in 1983.

With momentum on his side there was no letting up, and he picked up two more shots at 11 and 12. Another birdie on 16 left Herbert poised for a piece of history. He needed to par the final two holes to record a new major record of 61.

The Australian did the requisite on 17 but inexplicably sent his drive on 18 into the spectators on the right of the fairway.

He did well to rescue the situation and find the green, leaving himself three shots from 17 yards for immortality. He chipped his third to five feet – but agonisingly pushed his par putt a foot past, albeit tapping in a bogey for a record-equalling 62.

It was Herbert’s front nine that laid the foundations for his 62 – whereas Burns came to life after the turn to join a very exclusive club.

Just two-under through nine, the American was suddenly inspired, with birdies on 10, 11 and 13 catapulting him up the leaderboard.

Back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 then left him within touching distance of a 62 of his own – just minutes after Herbert had walked off the 18th.

Needing a birdie at the last, Burns’ chances appeared slim when his third shot landed in the bunker on the front-right of the green. Until he dug out this piece of magic for his own place in Open folklore:

Twenty-four hours later, New Zealander Fox [below] joined the party.

Five-under through 8, Fox needed a birdie on 9 to equal The Open's low nine-hole score of 28, but he had to settle for par.

Fox picked up another birdie on 10, dropped a shot on 13 but clawed it straight back at the par-5 14th.

Back-to-back birdies at 16 and 17 left him, like Herbert, just one more birdie away from a groundbreaking 61. His approach to 47ft gave him slightly too much to do, but a closing four left him in exalted company.

Lowest 18-hole score at The Open

62 – Branden Grace, Royal Birkdale, 2017
62 – Lucas Herbet, Royal Birkdale, 2026
62 – Sam Burns, Royal Birkdale, 2026
62 – Ryan Fox, Royal Birkdale, 2026

Lowest first-round score

63 – Rory McIlroy, St Andrews, 2010
63 – Phil Mickelson, Royal Troon, 2016

Lowest second-round score

62 – Lucas Herbert, Royal Birkdale, 2026
62 – Sam Burns, Royal Birkdale, 2026

Lowest third-round score

62 – Branden Grace, Royal Birkdale, 2017
62 – Ryan Fox, Royal Birkdale, 2026

Lowest fourth-round score

63 – Jodie Mudd, Royal Birkdale, 1991
63 – Payne Stewart, Royal St George’s, 1993
63 – Henrik Stenson, Royal Troon, 2016
63 – Haotong Li, Royal Birkdale, 2017