Portugal Colonial - Herbert equals major record round of 62 to take British Open lead

The world number 97 leads by two shots from overnight leader Jackson Suber, but Herbert doubled over his putter in anguish as a short attempt for par on the 18th slipped by with the chance to become the first man to post a major round of 61.

Herbert, who has spent the last two years on the breakaway LIV tour, began the day at level par.

Under glorious sunshine in Southport on England's north-west coast, the 30-year-old got off to a flying start with birdies on his opening three holes and added three more at the fifth, seventh and ninth to hit the turn in 28, a British Open record for the front nine.

His momentum continued with birdies at the 12th and 13th before a perfect approach set up another three at the par-four 16th for a shot at history.

Another shot at birdie at the par-five 17th slipped just past the hole.

Despite a wayward tee shot at the last, he should still have scrambled for a par but the moment in front of huge crowds seemed to get to him as two tentative putts resulted in his first bogey of the day.

A 62 equals the course record set by Branden Grace the last time the British Open was held at Birkdale in 2017, one of five previous rounds of 62 at majors.

Those also included Xander Schauffele and Shane Lowry's rounds of nine under par at the 2024 PGA Championship at the 71-par Valhalla.

C.Cassis--PC