Social media believed Lucas Herbert’s caddie was caught breaking the rules of golf, but there is no controversy over Herbert’s record-tying 62.

Following a 28 on the first nine, Herbert birdied Royal Birkdale’s 11th and 12th holes, and with two par 5s in front of him the chance to become the first player to shoot 61 or better at a major was very real. However, on the par-5 14th, the broadcast showed Herbert’s looper Nick Pugh using a range finder. The field is banned from getting distance information using electronic measuring devices, seemingly raising a rules issue for Herbert (and Pugh). Turns out, Pugh was given a pass by the R&A to use a rangefinder this week. Just not for yardage. Pugh was using the device like binoculars, which is allowed, and didn’t have batteries in it to ensure it was not giving distance information. “I’ll be honest with you guys- my eyesight isn’t great,” Pugh said, according to Today’s Golfer. “The glasses aren’t just there to make me look cool! I sometimes struggle when the ball comes down. I mean, this guy hits it a long way. He hits it 380 yards yesterday with a 3-wood. And if he wants to know if the ball’s in the bunker or not, these old eyes don’t see it so well. So, I’ll generally use the rangefinder, which pretty clearly has no battery inside.”

Pugh brought this up to the tournament and rules officials for the tournament and was given the green light before putting the device in play.

Thanks to the 62, Herbert currently has a two-shot lead over Jackson Suber and Cameron Young.

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Main Image: Andrew Redington