William Morris “Bill” Lawry was an obdurate opening batsman, captain of Australia and Channel Nine cricket commentator whom Billy Birmingham made even more famous through taking the piss out of Lawry’s voice on the platinum-selling “12th Man” albums.

And if Mr Lawry, 87, had been watching day two of the Australian Open – and a very good day to you, sir, if so – he’d have been thinking, if not roaring from his couch, “It’s all happening.”

We’re on the viewing platform on the first tee at Kingston Heath for the marquee group – Cam Smith, Elvis Smylie, Victor Perez of France – and the people are 10 deep, on tip-toes, phones up like periscopes, straining to see the incredible men of golf.

It’s hot and dry, and thirsty work, but the people, these blessed Victorians, have not taken the world-class golf being played on their world-class golf courses for granted.

That it is golf being played by Australia’s favourite golfer has certainly added to the popularity of this 12:05 three-ball.

When Smith smokes a hybrid what must be 240-metres straight at the middle of the fairway, a man clutching a can of alco-pop turns to his pal and says: “Easy game, right?”

“Yeah, I know,” replies his mate with a laugh. “Jesus Christ.”

Perez and Smylie smoke similar trajectory bombs, and away we go. And for the entire half-kilometre of the par-5 first hole, the people line the ropes and peer in, and gasp at the golf.

Earlier we’d watched a marvel – one-legged Juan Postito of Spain, stiffing 8-iron from 160 metres, on the breeze, downhill, it stuck to six feet, sucked into tap-in. It was an all-time golf shot, and for the next few holes it was amusing to watch able-bodied spectators taking one-legged practice swings.

In the AM at both courses, in this (men’s) Australian Open, the red ink flowed like a sea of sweet chilli sauce.

Wenyi Ding, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion, 20, the Elvis Smylie of China, fired 7-under 64 at Victoria.

Harrison Crowe had a crack – 66-69. The Kiwi, Daniel Hillier, recorded 68-68. A man from America, Jordan Gumberg – if they don’t call him “Gumby”, they should – got himself into T3 with 65-69 and nine-under.

“The Big Rig”, Harry Higgs, was a big presence at Kingston Heath on Friday. PHOTO: Getty Images

Back on the first hole and Smith waggles his long-iron with both sides of the fairway and the green surrounded by people. And you think: must be quite the trick to block that out given the potential for an off-target shot striking a fleshy human bollard.

Smith’s done this before, of course, and his “approach” shot – what could be a 220-metre 4-iron – is drawing, excellent, and right at the flag. It sticks to six feet. He makes the uphill putt.

Is it the eagle heard around the world? No. But here at the Heath? You bet. For such is the immediacy of news and such is the ubiquity of its carriage – The Phone – everyone knows: here comes Smithy.

He birdies three. He birdies five. He stiffs a wedge on six and makes the two-foot putt. The Mullet is afire.

But the people also know, because of The Phone, that somewhere out there at Kingston Heath, Herbie is going bananas.

Lucas Herbert was in entertaining form on Friday at the Australian Open. PHOTO: Getty Images

Yes, Lucas Herbert, gets himself to four-under after three holes and at 12-under leads the Australian Open by three.

The Victorian shot 63 yesterday at Victoria. Safe to say he’s feeling good about his game. His approach shot on nine from the 8th tee is a soaring, beautiful thing. He will shoot 66 and lead his national championship by four heading into the weekend.

Low numbers are out here, and these top-class players are verily bathing in red ink.

Marc Leishman is one of them – three birdies on the bounce, seven all told. Harry Higgs makes three birdies in five holes. Ryggs Johnston of America gets into outright second, only Ryggs Johnston knows how.

Smylie goes out in five-under 31. And then birdies 10. And 13. And 15. And 18 with a shot from the fairway bunker you’ll believe only if you see it via the magic of The Phone (below). The 22-year-old will shoot 64 and soar into T3. It’s like he belongs. Next big thing? He’s already here.

Take a bow, Elvis Smylie 🤯#AusOpenGolf pic.twitter.com/WzRPPEbOak

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 29, 2024

After going out in 5-under, Smith returned in 5-over and is eight shots behind Herbert in this Australian Open, a tournament Smith puts up there with the Masters at Augusta as one he wants to win before he dies.

He would be sad and mad. And he would be thinking: how did that happen?

Bill Lawry could tell him: the wind picked up and the greens firmed, and they were but two things of very many, if not all, things that were happening.