MELBOURNE, Australia — Lucas Herbert has relinquished his sole lead at the Australian Open, ending the day in a tie with American golfer Ryggs Johnston. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Jiyai Shin has taken the top spot in the Women’s Australian Open, which is being contested simultaneously across two courses in Melbourne’s renowned sandbelt region.
Johnston showcased impressive play on Saturday, posting a 4-under 68, which allowed him to catch up with Herbert, who managed an even-par 72. Both players now sit at 14-under at Kingston Heath Golf Club, which is hosting the final rounds following a rotation with Victoria Golf Club for the initial two rounds.
Herbert expressed some frustration but acknowledged that he hadn’t lost any ground in the competition. “It’s a bit frustrating, but I’ve maintained the lead,” he said after having held onto it since the event began. “I may have let a few more competitors into the mix, but I’m still where I want to be.”
The 24-year-old Johnston, ranked 953rd in the world, secured six birdies in his first twelve holes, though a setback with a double-bogey on the par-5 14th hole hindered his progress, at Kingston Heath, a venue set to host the Presidents Cup in 2028.
Defending men’s champion Joaquin Niemann delivered the day’s best performance, shooting a dazzling 64 and moving up to just two shots off the pace, despite starting the round ten strokes behind the leader.
Niemann finds himself in a five-player tie for third place at 12-under alongside last week’s Australian PGA champion Elvis Smylie (69), Finland’s Oliver Lindell (69), Australia’s Jasper Stubbs (68), and Wenyi Ding of China (68). Meanwhile, 2022 British Open champion Cameron Smith struggled again, scoring a 76 and falling 12 shots shy of the leaders. Smith had a disappointing round with multiple bogeys, managing just one birdie and finishing tied for 49th, closing a frustrating home tournament run without a win.
In parallel at the Women’s Australian Open, Jiyai Shin seized control with a three-round total of 14-under 204 after carding a 67 on Saturday. The previous leader, the 17-year-old amateur Hyojin Yang from South Korea, experienced a tough day with a 3-over 76 and dropped to sixth place, now eight shots behind.
Shin is now two shots ahead of Australia’s Hannah Green, who carded an eventful 68 filled with eight birdies, complemented by a bogey and a double-bogey. Defending champion Ashleigh Buhai also had a strong showing with a 67, placing her at 10-under, four strokes clear in third position.
Minjee Lee, an LPGA Tour regular, recorded a 69 for a total of 1-under, while her brother Min Woo Lee, on the PGA Tour, finished with a 72, remaining at 3-under for the event.
Both tournaments are utilizing alternating tee times and have ensured equal prize money for the second year running across the par-72 Kingston Heath (par-73 for the Women’s Open) and the par-71 Victoria Golf Club.