Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. TOTOTO South Port: Lucas Herbert’s bid to become the second Australian to win the British Open in 33 years threatened to unravel on Saturday before a lucky drop on the 17th hole – and one of
South Port: Lucas Herbert’s bid to become the second Australian to win the British Open in 33 years threatened to unravel on Saturday before a lucky drop on the 17th hole – and one of the best shots of his life – could have saved his championship hopes.
The Australian, who tied a record-tying 62 on Friday, shot a 1-over-par 71 to finish the day at seven under par, tied for fourth at Royal Birkdale in England.
His two-stroke overnight lead disappeared early; Despite a tough fight, Herbert will begin Sunday’s final round three shots behind American Sam Burns, who leads at 10 under par.
Herbert will tee off at 2pm on Sunday (11pm AEST) alongside Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg in the penultimate group, while Australians Min Woo Lee (5.50pm AEST), Adam Scott (7.40pm AEST) and Cameron John (10.05pm AEST) are the other Aussies in action.
John’s first major is going swimmingly after he shot 71 on Saturday to get to four under in a tie for 11th, while Scott (-1) and Lee (+2) will need a miracle to be in contention.
“I had a little bit of a shaky start and then settled in really well until the middle,” Herbert said. “It’s a frustrating thing that I will learn [from]But I have many positive things to take advantage of tomorrow.”
Herbert had an outright one-stroke lead at nine under after 13 holes, but when Burns birdied the 14th and the Australian hit a normal tee shot on the par-three 15th before settling for bogey, things took a turn.
It was a tough day off the tee. Herbert found just 35.7 percent of the fairways and relied on a short, tidy game after hitting just two-thirds of the greens in regulation.
After back-to-back bogeys on the 15th and 16th, Herbert’s biggest test came on the par-five 17th.
After another wild drive, Herbert found himself blocked on the green with a bad lie and was forced to take a drop penalty. After a lengthy discussion with the rules officials, he was awarded two club lengths which gave him enough room to attempt a daring shot around a tree.
What followed may prove to be the defining moment of their tournament.
Faced 223 yards to a blind green from a thick rough, Herbert hit a remarkable three-iron that finished safely on the back of the putting surface. His birdie putt went unnoticed, but escaping with par seemed almost as valuable.
“I just had a little bit of an aggressive streak on that 17th. I was chasing that momentum. I wanted to make eagle and get into that final group and be there,” Herbert said.
“The two-club length was right on the edge of where I could swing and get a decent lie. We were literally arguing over a foot, but it was pretty important in the whole grand scheme of things.
“I kind of had a feeling… I can do something really special here and try to get some momentum going the other way. I had just made two bogeys.
“It was one of those shots where you stopped [where it was like] This is going to be amazing or it could be the end of my tournament if I hit it right into the reeds in front of me and get some kind of double-digit score on that hole. “I’m happy it came out.”
Herbert then made another par on the last after taking over after another errant drive to the left, signing for a 71 that leaves him one shot behind New Zealand’s Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim, who share second place at eight under par.
“I think Sam Burns will be a man possessed. Given his results in the majors and the fact that he hasn’t won any, I think he will be very difficult to beat,” Herbert said of the world number 18.
“I’m not excited about giving him a three-shot lead, but we are where we are. I would love to play my second-best round of the week tomorrow, shoot under par and get in with a look. I loved all the feelings this week of being in contention and competing.
“Obviously, yesterday, the filming of 62 and all the emotions that [come with that] …I can only imagine it will be similar if [I am] in the fight to win tomorrow. I just want to experience that because that’s what I dreamed of doing growing up and what I play for.”
Ian Baker-Finch, the last Australian to win the Open at Royal Birkdale, in 1991, walked the course watching Herbert’s round.
Only Greg Norman (1993) and Cam Smith (2022) have lifted the Claret Jug since Baker-Finch’s triumph in 1991, but Herbert believes there is still time to mount a final charge.
When Smith won at St Andrews four years ago, he also suffered a disappointing third round, shooting one over before closing with a brilliant 64 to claim the title.
It was a parallel Herbert had already considered while walking down 18th Street.
“I’d like to do some crossings there if that would work,” Herbert said. “It would be a nice little story to go with it, wouldn’t it?”
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Tom Decent is the Sydney Morning Herald’s chief sports editor.Connect through X either email.From our partners
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