Lucas Herbert came within inches of making golf history, missing a putt for a record-breaking 61 at The Open Championship. The Australian golfer’s near-miss left him disappointed but proud after shooting a stunning 62, tying the course record and becoming only the sixth man to post that score in a major.
Herbert's Historic Round at The Open
Five feet and three inches separated Herbert from the first 61 in men's major championship history. The pressure of the moment proved immense, as his caddie Nick Pugh noted: “History has an evil or great way of doing this to people when history is on the line.” Despite the miss, Herbert’s 62 placed him atop the leaderboard at eight under par.
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The Mental Battle of Chasing History
Herbert admitted to having “a lot of thoughts running through my head” during the round, including memories of his father waking him to watch Chad Campbell at the 2009 Masters. The mental challenge of closing out a historic score is something few golfers have overcome.
| Player | Score | Major | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Herbert | 62 | The Open | 2025 |
| Sam Burns | 62 | The Open | 2025 |
| Branden Grace | 62 | The Open | 2017 |
| Rickie Fowler | 62 | U.S. Open | 2023 |
Key Takeaways from Herbert's Near-Miss
- Herbert’s 62 tied the course record at Birkdale and matched the lowest score in Open history.
- The missed putt from five feet, three inches prevented the first 61 in men's major history.
- Herbert’s caddie backed him “100 times out of 100” to make the putt under normal conditions.
- Sam Burns also shot 62 on the same day, adding salt to Herbert’s wound.
- Herbert expressed both disappointment and pride, calling it “a pretty good problem to have.”
The Significance of a 61 in Major Golf
No male golfer has ever shot 61 in a major championship. The closest attempts include Branden Grace’s 62 at the 2017 Open and Rickie Fowler’s 62 at the 2023 U.S. Open. Herbert’s effort joins an elite list, but the elusive 61 remains unbroken.
FAQ
What score did Lucas Herbert shoot at The Open?
Lucas Herbert shot a 62, tying the course record at Birkdale and becoming the sixth man to post that score in a major championship.
Why was Herbert disappointed with a 62?
He missed a five-foot, three-inch putt on the 18th hole that would have given him the first 61 in men's major history, leaving him with mixed emotions.
Has anyone ever shot 61 in a major?
No male golfer has ever shot 61 in a major championship. The lowest score remains 62, achieved by six players including Herbert.
Herbert’s round will be remembered as one of the greatest near-misses in golf history. His ability to hold two emotions—disappointment and pride—shows the mental toughness required at the highest level. For more golf news and analysis, stay tuned to GrandGoldman.com.