Self-confessed golf nerd Lucas Herbert makes surprising admission about his 62 at The Open

Lucas Herbert revealed he knew he had a chance to make major championship history after just three holes of his record-equalling second round at The Open.

The 30-year-old Australian produced a stunning eight-under 62 at Royal Birkdale on Friday to move into contention at the halfway stage of the final men's major of the year.

It was only the sixth 62 ever recorded in men's major championship history and could have been even better had he holed a five-foot putt at the last to break the record. 

Herbert, who was joined on the same score by America's Sam Burns minutes later, admitted he was feeling a mixture of pride and disappointment after narrowly missing the chance to shoot the lowest round in major history.

He said that he knew something special was unfolding after hitting his approach to five feet on the third hole to set up the first of nine birdies.

"I'm a golf nerd anyway, so I know all the numbers, all the records, everything like that," Herbert said.

"I don't play a schedule that is four majors a year consistently anyway, so the opportunities I do get to play majors, and you get an opportunity to get off to a hot start on a golf course that's a par 70 — not that I wanted the thoughts to come into my head, but it was honestly when it came in.

"So it was a bit of fun for the rest of the day just trying to acknowledge the fact that there was a chance but just to try to continue to go about what I was doing normally and naturally as best I could."

Herbert's historic charge began with three consecutive birdies, including putts from 16 and 14 feet, before he nearly chipped in for eagle at the fifth.

The highlight of his round came at the eighth, where he drained a breaking 35-foot putt. 

He holed out again for birdie at the ninth to turn in 28 - matching Denis Durnian's record for the lowest nine-hole score at Royal Birkdale set in 1983.

More birdies on the 11th and 12th holes had Herbert dreaming of a potential sub-60 round, but his momentum was halted when he found the fairway bunker at the par-five 14th and was forced to lay up at a gettable hole. 

Herbert walked off the 14th with a par and ticked off another at the 15th. 

A seven-foot birdie putt dropped at the 16th but, again, he failed to take advantage of the par-five 17th.

His approach to the last ended up short of the green. He putted up and over the ridge but left himself five-feet for par. 

Herbert's golf ball drifted past the ledge edge but he insisted it wasn't a poor putt. 

"I thought the wind was off the left a little as well which might push it," he said. 

"It just kind of jagged a little left early on me early and never came back.

"I didn't hit a bad putt. I can at least sleep easy tonight knowing I didn't hit a bad putt, I just misread it."

Despite missing the chance to break the record, Herbert said he was proud of the way he handled the pressure.

"I was eight-under through 12, and you could make a very good argument that I could have been a couple better as well," he said.

Herbert was also involved in a brief rules talking point when his caddie, Nick Pugh, appeared to use a rangefinder on the 14th tee.

Rangefinders are not permitted during The Open, with their use resulting in a two-shot penalty.

But it was later confirmed there was no breach R&A officials check devices for batteries before rounds begin. 

Pugh was simply using the device as a pair of binoculars.

Herbert and Pugh's relationship extends beyond golf, with the caddie even officiating his wedding.

"He plays an unbelievable role, whether we're getting that round going or any round going," Herbert said. 

"He's one of the hardest workers you'll see. He's the guy that's out here Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. 

"If he's not caddying for me or carrying my bag somewhere, he's walking the course and figuring everything out.

"I've never stood over a shot and asked him what's left down here or what's right over there or anything, and he hasn't got an answer for me, he's so well prepared.

He added: "He's one of my best friends. He married my wife and I last year. He was our reverend. 

"So that sort of shows you the relationship that we have. I said to him after missing that putt on the last, like I love doing this stuff with you, mate."

Herbert joined LIV Golf in 2024. 

He joined the breakaway tour months after taking an extending break from the game due to anxiety. 

The Australian previously told Golf Digest that he had turned into a "bitter" and "spiteful" person. 

"Not over the top, but I didn't like the version of myself," he previously added.

Herbert said: "I think everyone gets anxious. It's just about dealing with it. 

"Like I just said, I didn't sign up here to come play this tournament stress-free and cruise on through. 

"The thing that makes winning an Open Championship so amazing is the anxiety you've got to deal with throughout the entire championship. 

"If any player gets up here and says they're not, they're lying.

"That's the fun of professional golf. That's the challenge. 

"That's what makes it so fulfilling when you do get the results that you get. 

"I haven't won a major yet, but I'm assuming what people feel winning a major championship is so euphoric because of the anxiety and the stress you have to deal with and still be able to execute world-class golf shots."