Lucas Herbert Opens 2‑shot Lead at The Open After 8‑under 62

Lucas Herbert fired a historic 8‑under 62 at Royal Birkdale on Friday, propelling himself into the top spot on the leaderboard. He now holds a two‑shot cushion over the field as the tournament heads into Moving Day, the critical stretch of the final major. The surge puts Herbert in a strong position to potentially secure his first championship in the series.

Bryson DeChambeau entered the day fresh off three missed cuts at recent majors, but still managed a 7‑under round that kept him within striking distance. Midway through the second round, officials assessed a two‑shot penalty after he manipulated his lie, following an extended discussion with R&A officials. Although he threatened to withdraw, DeChambeau confirmed he would stay and continue, now sitting three shots behind Herbert with 36 holes remaining.

The penalty has shuffled the competitive landscape, leaving DeChambeau as the high‑profile name still in contention among several lesser‑known players. His presence keeps the spotlight on the leader‑board, where the top positions are now a mix of surprise performers and established stars. The drama underscores how quickly momentum can shift on a links course.

Saturday Tee Times

golfers will teed off on Saturday with a packed schedule to watch the third round unfold. The morning begins at 10:00 a.m. ET with Alex Fitzpatrick paired against Robert MacIntyre, followed by Thomas Detry and Bud Cauley at 10:10 a.m. Matt Wallace teams up with Si Woo Kim at 10:20 a.m., while Bryson DeChambeau pairs with Sam Burns at 10:30 a.m. Ryan Gerard faces Cameron Young at 10:40 a.m., and the final early grouping features Jackson Suber playing alongside leader Lucas Herbert at 10:50 a.m.

How to Watch

Fans can catch all the action on Saturday, July 18, with coverage starting at 5:00 a.m. ET on USA Network and transitioning to NBC/Peacock from 7:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. ET. The extended broadcast ensures multiple windows for viewers around the world to follow the pivotal third round. Stay tuned for live updates as the competition intensifies.