Lucas Herbert grabs NSW Open lead from Cam Smith, sets up thrilling weekend at Murray Downs – Australian Golf Digest

by Admin
November 15, 2024

[Photo: Golf NSW]

A stunning eagle highlighted a brilliant round that catapulted Lucas Herbert into the lead while major champion Cameron Smith was left trailing by two shots on an exciting second day at the NSW Open.

Herbert, familiar with Murray Downs Golf and Country Club having grown up two hours away in Bendigo, kickstarted his round with a birdie on the opening hole. He feasted on the first half of the back nine with birdies at the 10th, 12th, and 14th. That set up a thrilling run to the clubhouse.

At the par-5 16th, Herbert pounced. He calmly eagled the 472-metre hole while playing partner and fellow LIV Golf star Smith struggled. After a wayward drive, Smith crouched down under a tree and attempted a sideways pitch-out that was unlucky to hit a branch and remain in the rough. He made bogey, causing a three-shot swing in Herbert’s favour.

Both Herbert and Smith made two closing pars. Herbert’s second consecutive 65 gave him a 12-under-par total. He sat atop the leaderboard while 2022 British Open winner Smith was second at 10-under. In a tie for third was Josh Geary, Matias Sanchez and Corey Lamb.

A day after matching the course record with a 64 at Murray Downs, Smith was solid but just not as polished as Herbert’s bogey-free effort. Smith made two early birdies before a bogey at the shorter par-4 eighth. The former world No.2 bounced back with birdies at 10, 12 and 13 but his dropped shot at 16 was pivotal. Smith shot 68 and will look to bounce back on day three on the Murray River.

Smith and Herbert will play together for a third day in a row, in the final group on Saturday in a tournament promoter’s dream.