What Is The Lowest Round In Men's Major Championship History?
Some incredible rounds have been played at the four men's Majors - but what are the lowest scores?


Thank you for signing up to Golf Monthly. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Golf's Major championships are held in the highest regard, so there is no better time to find form and burn up one of the game's iconic layouts.
However, despite the fact there have been several sub-60 scores posted at regular tour stops, the benchmark in the men's four marquee events had appeared destined to remain stuck at 63.
Numerous chances came and went since Johnny Miller first set the record in the final round of the 1973 US Open at Oakmont, as he came from six behind to beat the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino to the title.
Phil Mickelson could hardly have come closer to eclipsing Miller at the 2016 Open at Royal Troon. The left-hander's 20-footer for the first Major 62 looked destined to find the bottom of the cup until it somehow lipped out and stayed above ground.
The wait, however, would soon be over. Twelve months on from Mickelson's attempt, Branden Grace picked apart Royal Birkdale during the third round of the 2017 Open, firing an eight-under 62 to create a slice of history.
The South African held that record on his own for almost six years, until he was joined by Rickie Fowler and then Xander Schauffele, both of whom opened the 2023 US Open with eight-under 62s on a day of incredible scoring.
Here's a full rundown of the lowest scores in men's Major championship history.
The Masters - 63
The Masters is the only Major played at the same venue every year, so you might assume it represents the best chance to go low. However, only twice has Augusta National yielded a 63, and neither player went on to win.
- Nick Price (1986 Masters)
- Greg Norman (1996 Masters)
The PGA Championship - 63
The PGA Championship has been responsible for more 63s than any other Major with 18, but it is still to witness a 62.
- Bruce Crampton (1975 PGA Championship, Firestone)
- Raymond Floyd (1982 PGA Championship, Southern Hills)
- Gary Player (1984 PGA Championship, Shoal Creek)
- Vijay Singh (1993 PGA Championship, Inverness)
- Michael Bradley (1995 PGA Championship, Riviera)
- Brad Faxon (1995 PGA Championship, Riviera)
- Jose Maria Olazabal (2000 PGA Championship, Valhalla)
- Mark O’Meara (2001 PGA Championship, Atlanta Athletic Club)
- Thomas Bjorn (2005 PGA Championship, Baltusrol)
- Tiger Woods (2007 PGA Championship, Southern Hills)
- Steve Stricker (2011 PGA Championship, Atlanta Athletic Club)
- Jason Dufner (2013 PGA Championship, Oak Hill)
- Hiroshi Iwata (2015 PGA Championship, Whistling Straits)
- Robert Streb (2016 PGA Championship, Baltusrol)
- Brooks Koepka (2018 PGA Championship, Bellerive)
- Charl Schwartzel (2018 PGA Championship, Bellerive)
- Brooks Koepka (2019 PGA Championship, Bethpage)
- Bubba Watson (2022 PGA Championship, Southern Hills)
Johnny Miller was the first player in men's Major history to shoot 63
The US Open - 62
On the 50th anniversary of Johnny Miller's iconic 63 en route to winning the 1973 US Open, his record was broken.
- Rickie Fowler (2023 US Open, Los Angeles Country Club)
- Xander Schauffele (2023 US Open, Los Angeles Country Club)
The Open - 62
Only one man has broken 63 in the game's oldest championship. It was Branden Grace, who became the first player in men's Major history to shoot 62.
- Branden Grace (2017 Open Championship, Royal Birkdale)
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Tips on how to play better, latest equipment reviews, interviews with the biggest names and more.

A lifelong golf fan, Andy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Journalism and got his first role in the industry as the Instruction Editor for National Club Golfer. From there, he went on to enjoy a spell freelancing for Stats Perform producing football reports, and then for RacingNews365 covering Formula 1. However, he couldn't turn down the opportunity to get back into the sport he grew up watching and playing and now covers a mixture of equipment, instruction and news for Golf Monthly's website and print title.
Andy took up the game at the age of seven and even harboured ambitions of a career in the professional ranks for a spell. That didn’t pan out, but he still enjoys his weekend golf at Royal Troon and holds a scratch handicap. As a side note, he's made five holes-in-one and could quite possibly be Retief Goosen’s biggest fan.
As well as the above, some of Andy's work has featured on websites such as goal.com, dailyrecord.co.uk, and theopen.com.
What's in Andy's bag?
Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub-Zero (9°)
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15°)
Driving iron: Titleist U500 (17°)
Irons: Callaway Apex Pro '19 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54° and 58°)
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
-
-
Players Back Luke Donald To Retain Ryder Cup Captaincy
Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood are among the latest players offering their support to the Team Europe Ryder Cup captain
By Mike Hall Published
-
Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers Of America Purse, Prize Money And Field 2023
Charley Hull defends her title as part of a strong field for the LPGA Tour event in Texas
By Mike Hall Published
-
A Hole In The Life Of A Very Different Phil Mickelson – Inside The Ropes With Lefty
We follow a very different Phil Mickelson to the one who won The Open 10 years ago today
By Mark Townsend Published
-
Future Open Championship Venues
We take a look at where the Open will be held after this year’s Championship at Royal Liverpool
By Mark Townsend Published
-
'No Poaching' Players Clause Removed From PGA Tour-PIF Deal
A clause in the PGA Tour-PIF deal that prohibited poaching players from either the tour or LIV Golf has been removed after concerns it could break federal employment law
By Paul Higham Published
-
8 Of The Best Players To Never Win The Open
We take a closer look at the best players never to have lifted the old Claret Jug
By Michael Weston Published
-
Scottie Scheffler Says Lack Of Clarity Over PGA Tour/PIF Deal 'A Bit Worrisome'
World No.1 Scheffler has spoken out over his frustrations and concerns about the proposed link up between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund
By James Nursey Published
-
How Many LIV Golfers Have Qualified For The 151st Open At Royal Liverpool?
There are 16 players from the LIV Golf League that will play in the Open Championship at Hoylake including defending champion Cameron Smith
By Paul Higham Published
-
'He's Got To Be On That Team' - Butch Harmon Calls For Rickie Fowler Ryder Cup Return
The esteemed golf coach lauded the American after he ended his winning drought on the PGA Tour this weekend
By Ed Carruthers Published
-
Rory McIlroy Achieves World Ranking Milestone
The Northern Irishman's runner up finish at the US Open has seen him join an exclusive club of players
By Ed Carruthers Published