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Herbert Leads with Record 62 as McIlroy Makes Cut

7/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Rory McIlroy shot a 3-under 67 on Friday, making the cut and sitting at 1-under overall.
He trails leader Lucas Herbert by seven strokes; Herbert tied the major record with an 8-under 62.
Consulting putting coach Brad Faxon, McIlroy improved his green play by .14 strokes and hit a drive onto the green.
He made an 11-foot birdie putt and will target a 4- or 5-under start on Saturday.

History

Historical Context

At the 100th U.S. Open in June 2000, Tiger Woods dominated Pebble Beach, posting a 272 (-12) to win by 15 strokes—the largest 72-hole margin in the championship’s history. The event also marked Jack Nicklaus’s final U.S. Open appearance and honored the late Payne Stewart, underscoring a turning point toward Woods’s unprecedented major dominance.

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Story summary

Rory McIlroy shot a 3-under 67 on Friday, making the cut and sitting at 1-under overall.
He trails leader Lucas Herbert by seven strokes; Herbert tied the major record with an 8-under 62.
Consulting putting coach Brad Faxon, McIlroy improved his green play by .14 strokes and hit a drive onto the green.
He made an 11-foot birdie putt and will target a 4- or 5-under start on Saturday.

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