The Open: Branden Grace first man in major history to shoot 62 round

Branden Grace has become 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 29-year-old 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.

There had previously been 31 rounds of 63 in major championship history, including Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson in last year's Open at Troon, but no one has ever shot a 62.

Grace, ranked 35 in the world, finished on four under par, two behind the leader Jordan Spieth.

Beginning the day 10 strokes adrift of Spieth, Grace rolled in from 15ft at the first and followed a birdie at the fourth with a two-putt gain at the par-five next.

He 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.