British Open 2026: Watch Sam Burns hole out from bunker to match men’s major scoring record at Royal Birkdale
[Oprah Winfrey voice] You get a 62! You get a 62! You get a 62! On Friday, at Royal Birkdale the birdies were flying thick and fast. Lucas Herbert went out in a record-tying 28, before narrowly missing a par putt for 61 on No. 18 that would have gave him the lowest score to par in men’s major history.
Minutes later, Sam Burns found himself in the greenside bunker on No. 18 needing to hole out to equal Herbert’s record-matching mark. Lo and behold, he did just that.
Incredible stuff from Burns. In contrast to Herbert, who’s own 62 felt deflating after spraying his tee shot well right, leaving his birdie putt several feet short and burning the edge on his three-footer for par, Burns’ bunker magic felt like an exclamation point. Burns’ record-matching second round at Royal Birkdale continued a strong major season from Louisiana native, who was in the hunt at both the Masters and U.S. Open, finishing T-7 and second respectively. After Friday’s 62, he finds himself in the mix once again, sitting at five-under-par for the tournament, three back of leader Herbert.
There will be plenty of competition down the stretch at Birkdale, however. As of midday Friday, the projected cut is one-over 141, which would match the lowest ever in Open Championship history. Needless to say, there are plenty of red numbers to be had at the legendary links this week, but if Burns can carry Friday's form into the weekend, he should have no trouble keeping pace.
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