Lucas Herbert came within touching distance of a place in golf history at Royal Birkdale, only to see a late mistake deny him the chance to set the lowest round ever recorded in a men’s major. The Australian’s second round at the 2026 Open Championship ended in a 62 after he pulled a five-foot putt wide on the 18th, turning what had been a record-chasing charge into a near miss.
For supporters and neutral observers alike, the appeal of moments like this lies in their tension: one putt can change the story of an entire championship. Herbert’s round still stands out as an elite performance, but the final hole will dominate the conversation because it separated a potentially historic 61 from a score that, while excellent, leaves him just outside the record books.
A round that briefly looked historic
The BBC report makes clear that Herbert had a golden opportunity to secure the lowest round in a men’s major. That context matters because major championships are built on pressure, and the Open Championship is especially unforgiving when the wind, nerves and course setup combine. A 62 at Royal Birkdale is a statement round in any era, but the missed putt on the last hole gives it a dramatic edge that will linger far beyond the scorecard.
From a competitive standpoint, rounds like this can reshape a tournament. A player who posts a number that low instantly forces the rest of the field to respond, and even a slight slip at the finish does not erase the momentum created over the previous 17 holes. Herbert’s performance suggests he had the control and scoring touch to attack the course effectively, even if the final putt prevented a landmark achievement.
What it means for the championship
For The Open, the story is also a reminder of how quickly fortunes can swing at the highest level. A record attempt becomes a missed opportunity in a single stroke, and that volatility is part of what makes major golf compelling. Herbert’s round will be remembered not only for the number he posted, but for the one he narrowly missed.
For Australian golf followers, there is still plenty to take from the performance. Even without the record, Herbert has shown he can produce a round capable of challenging the best in the world on one of the sport’s biggest stages. The disappointment is obvious, but so is the evidence that he belongs in the conversation when championship golf turns into a test of nerve and precision.
Source note: This article was prepared using publicly available information from BBC Sport and expanded with editorial context.
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