At the halfway mark of the Australian Open, Lucas Herbert dominated the leaderboard, while Cameron Smith faltered under pressure, and South Korean amateur Hyojin Yang impressed in the women’s event.
Men’s Tournament Highlights
- Lucas Herbert:
- Maintained composure to shoot a six-under 66 at Kingston Heath, following his flawless 63 on Thursday.
- Leads at 14-under with a four-stroke advantage over American Ryggs Johnston.
- Bogey-free for the first 27 holes before dropping a shot at the 10th, rebounding strongly with three birdies.
- Eyes another title and a British Open exemption, riding high after a successful season.
- Cameron Smith:
- Struggled with a wayward back nine, finishing even-par 72 for the day.
- Dropped to six-under, eight shots behind Herbert.
- Blamed the dip in form partially on being “put on the clock” for slow play, which disrupted his rhythm.
Women’s Tournament Highlights
- Hyojin Yang:
- The 17-year-old South Korean amateur built on her surprise first-round performance with a two-under 71 at Kingston Heath.
- Leads at eight-under after a rollercoaster round that started with four birdies in her first five holes.
- Prepared for the course using only a yardage book, showing poise despite windy conditions.
- Challengers:
- Veteran Jiyai Shin and Hannah Green are in pursuit, with Green two strokes back after a battling 71.
- Defending champion Ashleigh Buhai shot a four-under 68 and sits five strokes behind Yang.
Outlook for the Weekend
- Men’s Field: Lucas Herbert looks to extend his dominance but will face pressure from chasing players like Johnston and others aiming to narrow the gap. Smith will need a stellar turnaround to contend.
- Women’s Field: Yang faces a stern test from seasoned pros, including major winners like Shin and Buhai, while Green’s consistency makes her a strong contender.
This dual-gender event sets up an exciting weekend with Herbert and Yang seeking career-defining victories.
