Three-time DP World Tour winner Lucas Herbert produced a second-round 6-under 66 at Kingston Heath featuring an eagle at the par-5 1st and a bogey at the par-4 10th to reach 14-under and take a four-shot lead into the weekend at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
“I’m very happy,” said the Australian. “It’s funny, I played pretty good yesterday, I just didn’t really putt that well.
“And then I felt like I putted really well today, scrambled really well and the rest of the game was sort of off.
“It was kind of funny, it was like two days of polar opposites to have good scores. So it was nice for my putting to turn up when I needed it.”
American Ryggs Johnston shot six birdies and three bogeys to close with a 68 and move into solo second place at 10-under.
England’s Matthew Southgate made two bogeys and carded a 68 for a share of third place at 9-under alongside last week’s winner, Australian Elvis Smylie, who made a single bogey.
Jordan Gumberg of the United States made a bogey and a double bogey at the par-4 4th for a 69 and a share of third place with compatriot Harry Higgs who made a pair of bogeys, as well as Austria’s Lukas Nemecz who made one bogey and eagled the par-4 18th and Finland’s Oliver Lindell who produced a pair of double bogeys at the par-4s 4th and 10th.