Southport, England: No wonder Lucas Herbert was filled with mixed emotions. Report by Spencer Robinson – Asian Tour contributor.

With an eight-under-par 62 in round two of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, the Australian equalled the all-time low round in the 166-year history of men’s Major championship golf. A fabulous feat worth celebrating.

While justifiably proud of his achievement, Herbert was also left to ponder on a final-hole bogey that denied him the chance to create history with a first-ever 61 at the very highest level of the game.

“I’m absolutely disappointed (not to shoot 61), and at the same time, so proud of today,” said Herbert, whose 62 was emulated by American Sam Burns less than an hour later.

They join Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele (twice), Shane Lowry and Kurt Kitayama as the only other players to post 62s in the history of the men’s Majors.

“That’s a really cool list to be a part of. I’m very, very proud to put my name on that list of guys that have shot 62 in a Major championship. So, it’s kind of holding two emotions there at the same time. It’s a tricky one. I’m sure once the dust settles, I’ll be able to sort of decompress it a little bit,” said Herbert, who finished the day with a two-shot half-way lead.

Lucas Herbert of Australia acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green. Picture by Warren Little/Getty Images.

As followers of the Asian Tour will be aware, this was not the first time that the 30-year-old Herbert has posted a 62 this year.

On the last day of February, Herbert soared into contention at the 105th New Zealand Open in Queenstown with a swashbuckling nine-under-par 62 on Millbrook Resort’s Composite layout in the penultimate round of the event that formed part of the Open Qualifying Series.

That effort helped him to finish runner-up and claim the second and final spot on offer at Royal Birkdale, where he’s intent on making the most of the opportunity.

Winner of the International Series Japan on the 2025 Asian Tour, Herbert opened with an even-par 70 here on Thursday.

On Friday morning he came out all guns blazing, setting off with five successive threes en route to an outward six-under 28, matching The Open record for best front nine score.

He picked up further strokes at 11 and 12 to reach eight-under.

He said: “The first 12 holes, I might not play 12 better holes in my life. That whole back nine today, it was not lost on me the amount of history in Major championships and the opportunity I had to obviously break the record, but then to tie it as well is still something I’m really proud of.

“I’m a golf nerd anyway, so I know all the numbers, all the records, everything like that.”

Cameron John. Picture by Stuart Franklin/R&A/R&A via Getty Images.

He also knows there’s the little matter of the Claret Jug at stake over the next 48 hours. Is that something he’s dreamed of, he was asked?

“Yes, I think so. It’s two worlds apart, though, to have dreams and then to have even a glimpse of it sort of come to reality. Dreams of winning The Open Championship for sure … and I’m in a great position to do that. There’s still a lot of golf to go and a lot of work to do.

“I think that’s the dream I would love to tick off more than shooting 62. Yes, I’ve got a great opportunity. I’m looking forward to getting after it on the weekend.”

On a encouraging day for Asian Tour members, Australian Cameron John, Japan’s Kazuki Higa and Americans Peter Uihlein and Miles Plunkett all made it through to the weekend.

John, who is playing this week by virtue of finishing second in the Singapore Open – an Open Qualifying Series event – excelled, carding a 67 and is three under – in a tie for 17th. Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Higa and Uihlein shot 68s while Plunkett a 73. All three finished one over – right on the cut line.

Reigning Asian Tour Or

They finished on the cut line.

Main picture: Lucas Herbert shakes hands with his caddie Nick Pugh on the 18th green after his 62. Picture by Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images.