The Open: Branden Grace first man in major history to shoot 62 round
By Ali Stafford at Royal Birkdale
Last Updated: 23/07/17 8:00am
Branden Grace became the first man in history to shoot a round of 62 in a major during a record-breaking third round at The 146th Open.
The South African ripped up the record books by firing eight birdies in a flawless display at Royal Birkdale, taking advantage of benign conditions after overnight rain on the par-70 layout.
Beginning the day 10 strokes adrift of midway leader Jordan Spieth, Grace rolled in from 15 feet at the first and followed a birdie at the fourth with a two-putt gain at the par-five next.
Grace posted back-to-back birdies from the eighth to reach the turn in 29 and moved further up the leaderboard by holing a 35-footer at the par-three 14th.
A birdie putt at the 15th lipped out but Grace responded by holing a long effort at the par-four next, before getting to eight under with a two-putt gain at the par-five 17th.
Needing a par at the last to become the first player to card a sub-63 round in a major, Grace shot over the green with his second shot but two-putted from the fringe to card a history-making four.
Ten players had previously posted a round of 63 in an Open, with Phil Mickelson and eventual winner Henrik Stenson both posting that number during last year's tournament at Royal Troon.
