by MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Lucas Herbert shot an 8-under 63 Thursday at Victoria Golf Club, including an eagle on his final hole, to take the clubhouse lead at the Australian Open, along with his fellow Australian and 2022 British Open champion Cameron Smith. two shots behind.
The Australian Open and Women’s Australian Open are being held simultaneously – using alternate tee times – and with level prize money for the second year in a row at two Melbourne sandbelt courses, the par-72 Kingston Heath (par-73 for the Women’s Open) and par-71 Victoria.
Japanese amateur Rintaro Nakano and American Ryggs Johnston shot 65 at Kingston Heath and were tied for second, with Smith fourth after his 65, including six birdies in a row, at Victoria in the men’s co- sanctioned with the European circuit. .
Elvis Smylie, who won the Australian PGA Championship last week at Royal Queensland, where Smith finished second, shot 70 on Thursday in Victoria.
Australia’s Su Oh took the lead at the Women’s Australian Open with a 7-under 66 at Kingston Heath.
Once the respective cuts are made, Saturday and Sunday’s matches will be played only at Kingston Heath, the site of the 2028 Presidents Cup.
LPGA Tour regular Minjee Lee shot 74 in Victoria while her brother, PGA Tour player Min Woo Lee, started the afternoon.
Defending champions Joaquin Niemann and Ashleigh Buhai also played later, as did Wenyi Ding, who gave up his place in the Masters after winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur and is playing as a European Tour rookie.
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AP Golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
