SOUTHPORT, England, July 17 : Australia's Lucas Herbert came within a five-foot putt of becoming the first golfer to shoot 61 in a men's major on Friday as he took a two-shot lead at the British Open with a brilliant second-round 62 that was matched by Sam Burns at Royal Birkdale.Only five rounds of 62 had ever been completed at a men's major but two arrived within minutes on a sun-baked course as Herbert and American Burns made it one of the most remarkable scoring days in Open Championship history.Herbert, 30, leads on eight-under and would have gone out on Saturday with big-hitting American Bryson DeChambeau who finished on seven under after an impressive 66.But there was late drama as the twice U.S. Open champion was hit with a two-shot penalty by the R&A after being adjudged to have inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing by treading down long grass after finding rough at the fifth.
DeChambeau was seen in animated discussion with rules officials as he was driven back in a buggy to the scene of the incident where his ball had ended up in long grass.Later he emerged from a cabin and headed to the range without speaking to reporters other than to ask "Are you guys having a great night?".AMERICAN CHARGEThree Americans, first-round leader Jackson Suber, Cameron Young and Ryan Gerard, were the closest challengers to Herbert on six under. Their compatriot Burns was a further stroke back alongside South Korean Kim Si-woo and DeChambeau.Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, attempting to become the first man since Ireland's Padraig Harrington in 2008 to retain the Claret Jug, struggled for momentum but a second successive 68 left him lurking in a large pack on four under.Northern Ireland's world number two Rory McIlroy, bidding for his second Open title, ensured he will be around for the weekend with his three-under 67 leaving him seven shots adrift.Herbert looked dejected as he shook hands with his playing partners on the 18th despite equalling the 62s by Branden Grace at the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale, Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele at the 2023 U.S. Open and Schauffele and Shane Lowry at the 2024 PGA Championship."It was a lot of fun, those first 12 holes I don't think I've ever played golf that well before," Herbert, who plays on the LIV Golf circuit, said."There was a great buzz out there and it felt like everyone wanted it to happen. I felt like I kind of let everyone down a bit missing that putt on the last."LIGHT WINDSWith light winds lowering the course's guard, the early groups took full advantage.Herbert rolled in six birdies to reach the turn in 28 shots - equalling the nine-hole Open record of Denis Durnian at Birkdale in 1983. His assault continued on the back nine with birdies at the 11th, 12th and 16th and when he eyed another birdie putt on the 17th after a stunning chip even a sub-60 round looked possible.He missed that but a par on the 18th would have secured a 61. After a wayward drive he left himself with a relatively straightforward up-and-down from in front of the green, only for his only blemish to cost him the record.Burns' 62 arrived via a very different route as he birdied the last three holes, including a chip-in from a bunker on the 18th green that was met with a huge roar.There was an even bigger roar shortly afterwards as local favourite Tommy Fleetwood, who used to sneak on to Royal Birkdale as a child, almost holed his approach to the last.Fleetwood's round of 67 left him four off the lead and heading into the weekend with hope of a fairytale first major crown.England's Matt Fitzpatrick missed the cut, but his younger brother Alex was leading the home charge alongside Scotland's Robert MacIntyre and England's Matt Wallace, all of whom were in the pack on four under.Several other big names missed the cut including 2017 Royal Birkdale champion Jordan Spieth, 2023 Open winner Brian Harman and twice U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark.
