A cherished start in the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush is the bonus awaiting Lucas Herbert if he can win the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
His hot start for a four-stroke lead through 36 holes gives him the best possible chance on Victoria’s sandbelt where his familiarity will be a strong advantage.
Herbert’s superb eight-under-par 63 at Victoria Golf Club in the opening round was followed up by a six-under 66 at Kingston Heath on Friday.
Both courses were rain-affected which allowed the pros to get far more action on the ball with their approach shots than is normal on these traditionally fast-running greens.
Herbert’s 14-under start is high quality but it comes with no guarantees because of the quality of the chasing pack and Kingston Heath’s subtle weekend perils.
“The easiest trap to fall into would be to think you’ve got control of this tournament,” Herbert said.
“It doesn’t take much to jump up and bite you. So I’m definitely the position I want to be in, but I certainly don’t have control of it.”
There are three spots into the Open field at Royal Portrush for the top three finishers. It would be a major bonus for Herbert or Marc Leishman (68-68), who earn no world ranking points for events on the LIV Golf tour.
“Major exemptions are really important,” Herbert said in Melbourne.
“It’s a big focus of ours and I think you will probably see a few more guys from LIV coming out to play these events, or play the Aussie Open anyway, in years to come with those on the table.”
Herbert is chasing his first tournament victory since winning the ISPS HANDA Championship in Japan in April, 2023.
Live scoring can be followed here https://www.golf.org.au/ausopen/leaderboard/
