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Southport, England • Branden Grace broke the major championship scoring record Saturday with an 8-under 62 at Royal Birkdale, but Jordan Spieth leads by three at 11-under over Matt Kuchar.

Tony Finau got off to a mixed start Saturday during a sunny, calm day at Birkdale. The 27-year-old was quick to point out the changing conditions for scoring compared with Friday when 25-30 mph winds hit with heavy rain.

"A lot better conditions Saturday. You're just trying to survive, change your mindset and try to make pars," Finau said. "Unfortunately we had to change our mindset Saturday and had to play well and make birdies because we know that guys are going to do that."

Though Finau struggled out of the green-side bunker on No. 4, blading his shot over the green and making double bogey, he still bounced back with some nice numbers coming in.

"I was really pleased with the way I finished and overall the way I hung in there and a 67 on a day like today is respectable," Finau said.

One who went much lower was South Africa's Grace who shot the best single score in a major championship with 8-under 62.

"We were both grouped together three times during the 2015 PGA, and he's just a really cool guy … a great golfer," Finau said. "Just to be part of that round on the same course is pretty cool."

Finau was impressed with the South African's performance and gave him plenty of credit.

"I think it's incredible, it's quite a feat," Finau said. "When you think about how many guys have played in major tournament golf, but to have someone shoot a 62 it's pretty spectacular. Who knows how long that will take to happen again because of how long it took to get there."

This is Finau's second Open Championship and he's steadily learning how creative and comprehensive links golf can be.

"I think this type of championship tests all your skills, you've got to hit it well, but mentally it's about as tough a test as any tournament in golf," Finau said. "I seem to keep my head down and play on the side of the pond very well, and it serves me well in this type of tournament."

Last year, Finau got himself into the weekend and popped up on leaderboards as a result.

"That whole tournament I was in the top eight or 10 and right where I needed to be to post a really high finish," Finau said. "My 71st hole last year I made double bogey and that was the difference between ninth place and 18th. It's unfortunate that I still think about it."

What will Finau be thinking about tomorrow when he tries to get into the hunt for another low round?

Hopefully he can draw on memories from playing with Grace at the 2015 PGA when Finau nabbed his best major finish, a tie for 10th.

Garrett Johnston is a sports writer and video editor. Follow him on Twitter @johnstongarrett