MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Lucas Herbert surrendered his outright lead of the Australian Open and will go into the final round tied with American Ryggs Johnston while South Korea’s Jiyai Shin took the outright lead in the Women’s Australian Open being played concurrently at two courses on the famed Melbourne sand belt.
Johnston shot a 4-under 68 on Saturday to pull level with Herbert, who could only manage an even par 72, to share the lead at 14-under at Kingston Heath, which is hosting the final two rounds after rotating with the Victoria Golf Club for the opening two rounds.
“A little bit frustrating but sort of no ground lost really. I’m still in the lead,” said Herbert, who has had the lead since the opening round. “I might have just let a few more people back into the tournament but still leading, still where I want to be so, yeah, good result from a frustrating day.”
Johnston fired six birdies in 12 holes Saturday before a seven at the par-5 14th stalled his momentum at Kingston Heath, which will host the 2028 Presidents Cup.
The 24-year-old Montana native, currently ranked 953rd, recently graduated from the DP World Tour Qualifying School which Johnston said was helping him deal with the nerves of having a first professional victory in sight.
