Southport, England. The fireworks have started in round two of the 154th Open Championship as two players tied the 18-hole scoring mark in major championship play with matching scores of 62.

Australian Lucas Herbert and American Sam Burns each made progress upward the leaderboard with each firing eight-under-par rounds at Royal Birkdale.

Weather conditions remain as they were for round one — wind freshening as round two proceeds.

Herbert tied The Open scoring record for nine holes when playing the outward side in 28 strokes.

When reaching Birkdale’s closing hole, Herbert had a good opportunity to set the 18-hole scoring record with a par and a total of 61. His tee shot veered too far right and after a drop from a nearby fence, his 9-iron approach came up just short. The Aussie pitched his ball to five feet but his record setting putt just missed to the left.

Herbert’s pro career has been a mixed bag. The 30-year-old has achieved success — winning on the PGA Tour — the ’21 Butterfield Bermuda Championship — and doing likewise as a member of LIV Golf with a May win. But major championship play success has eluded him.

Coming into Royal Birkdale, Herbert’s record in major championship play has been nearly non-existent with nine missed cuts in 17 appearances and no finish higher than a T31 at the ’20 US Open at Winged Foot.

In all likelihood his 132 total will have him in the lead with 36 holes to play. Such territory will be a new experience for Herbert.

Herbert put things in perspective when assessing his performance in day two at The Open.

“I’m absolutely disappointed, and at the same time, so proud of today. 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.

“Right now, I’ve sort of got both going on, and it’s a pretty good problem to have too, to be disappointed you shot 62.”

Burns commands a higher profile and his 62 score was aided by a scorching total of 30 on the inward side with three consecutive birdies to finish the day in grand style.

The American has been a steady performer in the sport’s most significant events. At June’s US Open, the 29-year-old finished strong at Shinnecock Hills with a final round score of 67 to take the runner-up position. In the last five majors played, Burns has finished in the top seven three times. However, his play at The Open has been anything but stellar with his best finish better a T31 in ’24 at Royal Troon.

Burns stands three shots behind Herbert and will be once again in the mix. Interestingly, Burn only opted to play in the Open right up to the deadline given the July 3 birth of his second child, a girl named Belle.

“Yeah, I thought there was zero percent chance (in playing in The Open). Brett, my agent was like, I’m just going to sign you up just in case, but I was like, you can, but I’m probably not going to be able to play. Then we ended up having her on the 3rd. Even then, I still wasn’t expecting to play by any means. Had a bunch of conversations with my wife, and she encouraged me to come over here and play, and here we are”

Related: New R&A Film Charts Michael Chuma’s Journey From Nkandabwe to African Amateur Golf

A new short film follows the Zambian golfer’s rise through community programmes, international competition and a high-performance pathway supporting young African talent.

For the latest news in the golfing world, follow us on X.