'We can’t do it here' - LIV golf star avoids punishment as caddie uses illegal device during historic round

Lucas Herbert will avoid punishment after his caddie used a range-finding device during his heroics at the 154th Open Championship.

The 30-year-old made history on Friday when he recorded the joint-lowest score in the history of men’s majors with a 62 to take the lead at the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale. Herbert matched the record also held by Brandon Grace, Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele, and also equalled the record for the lowest-ever Open front nine in a men’s major.

However, his historic achievements were thrown into controversy when his caddie Nick Pugh was seen with what appeared to be a rangefinder later in the second round.

TV footage showed Pugh using a rangefinder device on the 14th tee box after Herbert had smashed his drive into the fairway bunker.

Sky Sports' commentary team pointed out that distance-measuring devices are not allowed during the tournament and that Herbert could face a two-shot penalty under Rule 4.3.

However, it was later clarified that the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) governing body ensures that, during competition days, there are no batteries inside the chamber.

It means that although Pugh used a range-finder device, he was actually using it in the capacity of a pair of binoculars, which would be allowed under the current rules.

"To give you an update, the R&A ensures that batteries are removed so they can only be used as a binocular thing rather than a measuring device," said pundit Andrew Coltart during the commentary.

Speaking after Herbert's historic round, Pugh explained the range-finder controversy and how he asked for permission to use the device before the tournament this week.

“On LIV Golf we’re allowed to use a rangefinder for distance-measuring purposes,” he told Today's Golfer. “I obviously know that we can’t do it here or at the US Open. But there was another player at the US Open that his caddie was given the OK to use a rangefinder without the battery in.

“I enquired very early on in the week with the R&A, one of the rules officials. I gave him a heads-up. I said, ‘hey, this is what happened in the previous tournament. Would this be OK?’

“It obviously went to the power as it be. It went right to the very top, and I was given the green light. So, I informed our playing partners on the first tee yesterday. I informed our walking referee, and I asked her for a second opinion. I said, ‘can you just make sure this is absolutely correct? ‘To which she came back on the second tee with a thumbs-up.

"I’ll be honest with you guys- my eyesight isn’t great. 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.”

Herbert has never finished in the top 10 at a Major Championship but won his first LIV Golf title in May. The Australian has previously won on both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.