The Open Championship: Lucas Herbert makes history
Lucas Herbert has already made history. He could still make more.
There have been 154 Open Championships. Until Friday, only once had a player carded a 28 over nine holes. Herbert just became the second.
The 30-year-old Australian has absolutely torched Royal Birkdale to vault to the top of the leaderboard at the 2026 Open Championship. He birdied his first three holes, then added three more birdies over the next six to go out with a 6-under 28.
LUCAS HERBERT JUST SHOT 28 ON HIS OPENING NINE!
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 17, 2026
He's at -6 and leading The Open 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iikE5JM6Gy
That 28 ties Denis Durnian for the lowest nine-hole score ever at a tournament that began playing in 1860. Durnian’s 28 also came on the front nine at Royal Birkdale, which plays to a par 34. Durnian would shoot 2-over on the back nine to finish with a 66 back in 1983.
How low can Herbert go?
Five players have shot 62 at major championships, with the first coming at … wait for it … Royal Birkdale, when Branden Grace shot a 62 back in 2017. That day, Grace went out in 29, then finished with three birdies on the back nine.
Hole 10: Par (-6)
Hole 11: Birdie (-7)
Another birdie for Lucas Herbert. He moves two clear at the top of The 154th Open leaderboard. pic.twitter.com/x8A3NahJMU
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2026
Hole 12: Birdie (-8)
Hole 13: Par (-8)
This story will be updated as Herbert makes his way around the back nine.
