Sam Burns etched his name into major championship history on Friday at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, firing a 62 during the second round of the 2026 Open Championship to tie the record for the lowest round ever recorded at a men’s major.
The American’s remarkable performance was capped by a spectacular finishing flourish when Burns holed out from a bunker on the 18th hole, delivering one of golf’s most dramatic moments to complete his record-equalling round.
Historic Achievement
Burns’ 62 matches the benchmark set by Lucas Herbert, meaning the pair now share the distinction of producing the lowest single round in men’s major championship history. The achievement came during the second round of golf’s oldest major, contested this year at the storied Sefton Park venue in England.
The bunker shot on the final hole provided the perfect punctuation mark to Burns’ exceptional day on the links. Rather than settling for a steady finish, the golfer found the sand protecting the 18th green and still managed to convert the shot into a single stroke, adding an exclamation point to an already historic round.
The Record Books
The 62 represents the pinnacle of scoring at major championships, with Burns joining Herbert as the only players to achieve this mark. The feat underscores Burns’ technical prowess and nerve under pressure, particularly evident in his ability to execute from difficult positions like the bunker on 18.
With the second round of the 2026 Open Championship taking place at Royal Birkdale, Burns demonstrated why the venue continues to challenge and inspire the world’s best golfers. His ability to navigate the demanding Yorkshire links course culminated in a scoring performance that will be remembered alongside the greatest individual rounds in professional golf.