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Aus Open LIVE: Aussie star forges huge halfway lead as Smith aims to put Rd 2 horrors behind him

Aus Open LIVE: Aussie star forges huge halfway lead as Smith aims to put Rd 2 horrors behind him

Round 3, otherwise known as ‘Moving Day’ is upon us at the 2024 Australian Open, with Lucas Herbert streaking clear to hold a four-shot lead in the men’s tournament.

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Herbert and Cameron Smith both got off to blazing starts in Round 2, but while Herbert was able to maintain his stellar play to record -6 for the day to move to -14, Smith capitulated on the back nine.

The 2022 British Open winner dropped five shots on the back nine to finish the day at -6 for the tournament, eight shots behind Herbert.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 29: Lucas Herbert of Australia plays his second shot on the 18th hole on day two of the ISPS Handa Australian Open 2024 at Kingston Heath Golf Club on November 29, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Little-known American Ryggs Johnston is in second place at -10 with six golfers next best at -9, including last weekend’s Australian PGA winner Elvis Smylie.

Following a solid yet unspectacular opening round, Smylie handed in a massive second round to get back into contention.

The 22-year-old fired an -8 64 on Friday to be -9 for the tournament. He is aiming to become just the seventh player to pull off the Aus PGA-Aus Open double.

Other notables in the running after two rounds are popular American Harry Higgs (-9) and Aussies Marc Leishman (-7) and Harrison Crowe (-7).

Defending champion Joaquin Niemann salvaged a poor opening round with a 66 on Friday to be on -4 for the tournament.

Turning to the women and South Korean amateur Hyojin Yang is the sole leader at the start of Round 3.

Yang is -9 for the tournament with compatriot Jiyai Shin on -8.

The best placed Aussie is Justice Bosio on -8 while 2024 Greg Norman medallist Hannah Green is two shots behind the pace on -7.

South African Ash Buhai, who is aiming for three straight wins at this tournament, is well within reach at -4.

NOTABLE TEE TIMES (ALL AEDT)

Men’s

10:50am (10th hole) – Rintaro Nakano (a), Andrew Kelly, Marc Leishman

11:01am (10th hole) – Cameron Smith, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, Filippo Celli

11:12am (1st hole) – Oliver Lindell, Elvis Smylie, Lukas Nemecz

11:23 (1st hole) – Jordan Gumberg, Ryggs Johnston, Lucas Herbert

Women’s

12:07pm – Hannah Green, Ashleigh Buhai, Cassie Porter

12:18pm – Hyojin Yang (a), Jiyai Shin, Justice Bosio

HOW TO WATCH

Watch all the Australian Open action on Kayo and Foxtel, with every big moment broadcast on Fox Sports channel 503 – which has become a dedicated Australian Open channel for the week.

Coverage begins at 12pm AEDT each day.

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