Southport: Australian golfer Lucas Herbert is having the round of his life at the British Open, recording six birdies in nine holes to take the outright lead and put himself in contention for the Claret Jug.
The 30-year-old, who plays for Australian team Ripper GC on the LIV Golf circuit, stunned the field on Friday morning in his second round at Royal Birkdale Golf Club by going through his opening nine holes in an astonishing 28 shots.
After beginning the day at even par alongside Australians Min Woo Lee and Cameron John, five shots off the pace, Herbert’s six-under par effort across his opening nine holes featured six birdies, including a brilliant 11-metre double-breaker putt on the par-three 7th.
He hit every green in regulation until the par four 9th, where he drained a putt off the green to remain at the outright leader ahead of American Jackson Suber.
Herbert’s 28-stroke opening nine equalled the record at a British Open, level with Denis Durnian’s effort on the front nine on the same course in 1983.
The Victorian has made the cut twice at the British Open from five appearances since 2018, with a best finish of tied 15th in 2022 when Australian teammate Cam Smith won the championship. It was Herbert’s best finish at a major.
While there is a lot of golf to be played, Herbert’s stunning opening nine has been the talk of the day.
More to come
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Tom Decent is the chief sports writer for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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