“Even that whole back nine today, it was not lost on me the amount of history in major championships and the opportunity I had to obviously break the record,” Herbert told the media after play ended for the day.

“I’m absolutely disappointed, and at the same time 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. 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,” he said.

Two-stroke penalty

Before Friday (17/7), there had been just five rounds of 62 at men’s majors, but Herbert and the American golfer Sam Burns made it seven at Royal Birkdale.

Jackson Suber, the overnight leader after round one, is two shots behind Herbert, alongside compatriots Cameron Young and Ryan Gerard, while Burns is joined by South Korea’s Si Woo-Kim at five-under.

Bryson DeChambeau is also five-under heading into the weekend. He was assessed a two-stroke penalty under Rule 8.1 on the 5th hole, meaning his score for round two was a two-under 68.

Home hero Tommy Fleetwood, along with Matt Wallace, Robert MacIntyre and Alex Fitzpatrick lead the British charge a shot further back, while a raft of big names remains in reach of the top spot.

Rory McIlroy had a better day on Friday, with a three-under-par 67 taking him into the red on one-under, but his playing partner Matt Fitzpatrick missed the cut on four-over. Justin Rose (+3) and Aaron Rai (+2) were other home favourites who made an early exit.

South Africa’s Shaun Norris, Hennie du Plessis and MJ Daffue all share the 38th spot on one under, while Casey Jarvis is T52 on par. With one over, Aldrich Potgieter also avoided the cut. 

But the Alfred Dunhill and Mauritius Open champion, Jayden Schaper, was not so lucky and will not advance to the next two days of play.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg