Herbert equals front-nine record at The Open

Lucas Herbert is making Royal Birkdale look short. The Australian fired a stunning six-under par 28 on the front nine during the second round of The Open, equalling the front-nine course record and rocketing himself to the top of the leaderboard at nine under through 16 holes.

Herbert's outward burst is the headline of the day at the 2026 Championship, turning a major leaderboard into his own highlight reel. At nine under overall, he holds a three-shot cushion over American Jackson Suber, who finished his second round at six under. Collin Morikawa sits a further shot back at five under with holes still to play.

The chasing pack — Matt Wallace, Pierceson Coody, Bud Cauley, Patrick Reed and Cameron Young — are all bunched at four under, keeping the pressure alive as the second round plays out. Herbert still has two holes remaining, meaning he could yet extend his lead before the cut is set.

No South African sits in the top eight of the current leaderboard, but with the third round still to come, there is plenty of time for Christiaan Bezuidenhout or Garrick Higgo to make their move. Keep across all the action on our golf home as Royal Birkdale continues to deliver one of the more compelling Opens in recent memory.

First reported by BBC Sport Golf.