Lucas Herbert came agonisingly close to a historic 59 before ultimately carding a remarkable 62 – only the sixth such score in major championship history – at the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on Friday. The Australian’s electrifying performance saw him surge into the lead, though a final-hole bogey denied him an even more extraordinary achievement.Needing par on the 18th for the first 61 in a men's major, Herbert’s tee shot drifted right. His approach landed just short of the green, and he putted on for his third stroke, leaving a five-foot putt for par. However, his attempt slid left of the cup, resulting in his sole bogey of the day and a round of 62.This exceptional score places Herbert in elite company. South Africa’s Branden Grace recorded the first 62 in a major at Royal Birkdale in 2017. Four other rounds have since matched that number, including two by Xander Schauffele, before Herbert added his name to the prestigious list.Starting the day at even par, the 30-year-old now stands at eight under, holding a two-stroke advantage over Jackson Suber as the morning wave concluded. Herbert, who joined LIV Golf in 2024 and secured his first LIV win this May, has not finished better than tied for 40th at a major since his tied 15th at the 2022 Open.Herbert came so close to breaking The Open record (AP)Herbert’s sensational day began with three consecutive birdies, including putts from 16 and 14-and-a-half feet. He nearly chipped in for an eagle at the short par-five fifth, tapping in for another birdie. A magnificent 36-foot putt, breaking dramatically, was a front nine highlight. He capped off a stunning outward half by chipping in for birdie at the ninth, completing a six-under 28 – a score that tied Englishman Denis Durnian’s 1983 record for the lowest nine-hole score in Open history, also achieved on Birkdale’s front nine.Back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th put a 59 firmly in sight, and a seven-foot putt on the 16th took him to nine under. Despite a long drive on the par-five 17th landing far left, he executed a superb recovery from a sandy lie, keeping the ball on the green and curling it to within 10 feet. He then two-putted for a crucial par, setting up the dramatic finish on the 18th.