The Open Championship Friday live updates, leaderboard: Lucas Herbert ties record for lowest score ever

According to coverage from outlets including The Guardian, BBC, ESPN, PGA Tour, GOLF.com, The New York Times, and Yahoo Sports, the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale delivered a dramatic second round defined by historic scoring. Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns both shot remarkable 62s, tying the all-time major championship record for the lowest score ever recorded. Coverage notes that Herbert narrowly missed a putt that would have given him an outright record-breaking 61, leaving him with a closing bogey but a share of the history books, while Burns chipped in during his round to join the record-equalling feat. The reporting emphasizes the contrasting fortunes and storylines surrounding the leaders and contenders on Friday and subsequent days.

Yahoo Sports and Golf Channel detailed a heated turn of events involving Bryson DeChambeau, who was assessed a controversial two-stroke penalty for improving his lie during the second round after reaching solo second place. Meanwhile, BBC and GOLF.com highlighted players such as Tommy Fleetwood dreaming of an emotional victory, and Sam Burns addressing media queries regarding his positioning and personal motivations to stay in the tournament. Outlets like USA Today and Bleacher Report provided live leaderboard updates as the championship progressed from the record-breaking Friday through the weekend rounds. Context provided across the sports coverage indicates that Royal Birkdale served as the intense backdrop for these high-stakes developments, drawing significant media attention to player reactions and official rulings.

The New York Times and The Guardian reported extensively on the emotional weight carried by the competitors, capturing Herbert's mix of disappointment and pride regarding his missed putt for 61, alongside ongoing discussions about Scottie Scheffler and other top contenders in the field. Writers from various golf publications also weighed in with pre-weekend predictions and tee time schedules as the tournament advanced. As the event moves forward, coverage does not yet specify the final tournament winner, focusing instead on the live updates, leaderboard shifts, and the aftermath of the second-round penalties and records. Readers and fans continue to monitor ongoing reports from the fourth and final round at Royal Birkdale to see how the historic performances from players like Herbert, Burns, DeChambeau, and Fleetwood ultimately conclude.