As the final major championship this season makes its way to a conclusion, the talent has lived up to every expectation. From the top faces in the sport seen, to even unexpected major championship records tied. Two stars stole the show Friday evening, with both Sam Burns and Lucas Herbert tying the record with a second-round low of 62. Both put on a top-game display and jumped multiple spots into the top five. A lot is on the line in terms of securing a victory on this Tour swing, yet consistency is still needed for two more rounds.
Herbert Steps on The Scene
In what came as a shock to many but maybe not Herbert himself, he tied a course record with a 62. Coming in almost a completely efficient swing, Herbert recorded nine birdies. Although he landed a bogey on the last hole, jumping up 38 spots to first place was worthwhile.
“The nerves were going, but I thought I handled it well,” Herbert said. “It wasn’t meant to be. So it was a strange one, knocking that in and knowing I tied the record, but feeling like it might be one of the best chances we’ve ever had to shoot a 61.”
Herbert hasn’t recorded a win since his first-ever win on Tour in 2021, yet now he has momentum carrying him to a hopeful second. His first round of play didn’t nearly match Friday’s performance, with seven more birdies than in round one. With celebration comes reality, and one is preparing for the play of Burns. Herbert, being one of two to match the record, showcases both the talent level and competition level in play this week.
“I’m absolutely disappointed, and at the same time, so proud of today,” Herbert said. “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, and I’m sure once the dust settles, I’ll be able to sort of decompress it a little bit.
Burns Has Eyes On The Prize
It wouldn’t be fitting if the last major championship of the season didn’t have some drama or Burns somehow in the mix. He’s now jumped up 101 spots in one round after a masterful performance on Friday. Totaling eight birdies, hitting all the last three holes, made it clear that Burns flipped a switch.
“I caught myself by surprise,” Burns said. “Yeah, I honestly feel like I played a pretty solid round of golf yesterday and then just had a terrible finish there on 16, 17, 18. I thought coming into the day, if I could get it to red numbers for the golf tournament, that would be a pretty good spot. I think the finish there, the last three holes, was just a bonus.”
Surprises seemed to come at a regular occurrence for Burns in round two, having a similar bounce back from Thursday as seen with Herbert. Putting himself in contention to compete was the goal, and he secured a hole-out from the bunker on the 18th. Turning the heads of many around, but more importantly, establishing a sense of confidence for Burns.
“It’s a hard hole,” Burns said. “It was a tricky bunker shot because I had to land it on the fringe there and use the slope down to the hole. Definitely very lucky for it to go in.”
Both Herbert and Burns head into the weekend, sitting first and fifth in the current standings. With some top names just below them and also in the mix, it will be difficult to keep their high spots. Another two rounds like that would put both in high contention for a major championship.
Main Photo Credit:© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
