SOUTHPORT, England — Branden Grace didn’t realize he was making major championship history with an 8-under-par 62 in the British Open on Saturday.
But he did, sinking a two-footer on the final hole to break the former mark of 63 held by several players, including commentator Johnny Miller, who was making the call during the broadcast.
Miller was roasted on Twitter for — what many viewers believed — hoping against hope that Grace didn’t break 63.
After the round, Miller said: “They did set the course up really easy today folks, but it’s still an excellent round.”
Pro golfer Justin Thomas was among those roasting Miller on Twitter.
Grace, 29, said he was trying to finish the round without a bogey and wanted to make one final birdie on the last hole. He said sometimes it helps not to know records.
“It was a special day, to be quite honest,” Grace said. “I had no idea that was the lowest. I was so in the zone and playing the round so well. I was just trying to play the round without a bogey and make another birdie at the last. Sometimes it helps not knowing these things.
“When you get on a run like that, you stop thinking about golf. It’s one of the best ball-striking rounds of my career.”
Grace hit 16 of 18 greens, getting up and down from over the 18th to set the record in the 442nd major championship to be played.
The winds at Royal Birkdale were calm and the scoring conditions perfect.
His score also set a course record, on a day when there were already three 65s and three 66s among the early starters.
Grace’s record round moved him near the top of the leaderboard, just two shots behind Jordan Spieth. Grace, who began the day one stroke inside the cut line, was at 4 under.
Twitter, however, seemed more concerned with Miller.
Johnny Miller right now..... pic.twitter.com/97eiTSgYmC
— Philip Pettitt Jr (@PhilipPettitt) July 22, 2017
Live check-in on Johnny Miller... pic.twitter.com/pAkmMVr77v
— Cory ₿radburn (@CoryBradburn) July 22, 2017
Live look at Johnny Miller up in the booth as Branden Grace attempts to beat his record for best score in a najor. #BritishOpen pic.twitter.com/TxcZIDmfCP
— Mikewichter (@mikewichter) July 22, 2017
Johnny Miller following Grace around as he heads for 62. @BarstoolTrent @RiggsBarstool @ForePlayPod @NoLayingUp pic.twitter.com/eKF75jdfcm
— john (@jmsteiner8) July 22, 2017