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.

Lucas Herbert clung to a share of the lead at his home Australian Open on Saturday as American rookie Ryggs Johnston made a charge in a waterlogged third round and favourite Cameron Smith crashed out of contention.

Lucas Herbert, who joined LIV Golf in January 2024, fired a 6-under 66 at Kingston Heath Golf Club on Friday to extend his lead to four through 36 holes. He sits at 14-under par. But Herbert knows not to get complacent at this point. Plenty of work remains for the Bendigo, Victoria native throughout the third and final rounds.

Herbert led the way after the second round in Melbourne while the former Open champion and his group were put on the clock.

An unflappable Lucas Herbert led his home Australian Open at the halfway mark on Friday as fan favourite Cameron Smith tumbled down the leaderboard with a poor back nine at Kingston Heath.

Lucas Herbert has held his chasers at bay to retain the Australian Open lead after a wet and wild third round at Kingston Heath.

Unheralded American Ryggs Johnston has joined home hope and halfway frontrunner Lucas Herbert in the Australian Open lead after a wet and wild third round.