MELBOURNE, Australia — Lucas Herbert kicked off the Australian Open with an impressive round of 8-under 63 at Victoria Golf Club on Thursday, capped by an eagle on his final hole, enabling him to claim the early lead. Close behind him is fellow Australian Cameron Smith, the 2022 British Open champion, who sits two strokes off the pace.

Both the Australian Open and the Women’s Australian Open are being held simultaneously, utilizing alternating tee times and featuring equal prize money for the second consecutive year. The tournaments are hosted at two Melbourne sand-belt courses: the par-72 Kingston Heath, which is a par-73 for the Women’s Open, and the par-71 Victoria.

Rintaro Nakano, an amateur from Japan, along with American Ryggs Johnston, both recorded impressive rounds of 65 at Kingston Heath, placing them in a tie for second. Cameron Smith also tallied a 65 at Victoria, which included an outstanding streak of six birdies in a row, placing him tied for fourth in the men’s competition, which is co-sanctioned with the European Tour.

Elvis Smylie, fresh off a victory at the previous week’s Australian PGA Championship where Smith finished as the runner-up, posted a score of 70 at Victoria on Thursday.

In the Women’s Australian Open, Australian Su Oh took an early lead with a remarkable 7-under 66 at Kingston Heath.

After the cuts are determined, weekend play will be held exclusively at Kingston Heath, which is set to host the Presidents Cup in 2028. LPGA Tour player Minjee Lee finished her round at Victoria with a score of 74, while her brother, Min Woo Lee, who plays on the PGA Tour, had a later tee time.

Defending champions Joaquin Niemann and Ashleigh Buhai were also in action later in the day, along with Wenyi Ding, a European Tour rookie who secured his place at the Masters by winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur.