LIV Golf's Herbert is in the lead at the Australian Open, Smith two back

LIV Golf’s Herbert is in the lead at the Australian Open, Smith two back

In the women’s tournament, Australian Su Oh shared a one-stroke lead with South Korean teenager Yang Hyo-jin, ahead of major winner Hannah Green.

From the 10th, Australian Herbert scored six birdies without bogeys before his sensational eagle propelled him into the outright lead in the second event of the 2025 DP World Tour season.

He finished one ahead of Rintaro Nakaro – the 2023 Japanese amateur champion – and American Ryggs Johnson, while 2022 British Open champion Smith was a shot further back in a four-way draw.

In the mixed Australian Open, men and women tee off in alternating groups on the same courts.

Kingston Heath in Melbourne’s famous sand belt region is the main venue on all four days, with Victoria Golf Club also hosting the opening days.

“I felt like a lot of shots were left off,” said Herbert, a three-time winner on the European circuit, after driving over boggy fairways and soft greens.

“To be honest, I have that feeling every round of golf, but I didn’t really think I’d holed that many. I just hit it really nicely.”

Nakaro was the early pacesetter with eight birdies, but his round was spoiled by a bogey at the end.

“I’m surprised but very happy,” said the 21-year-old, who plans to turn pro next year.

Portrush is on the line

Smith, who finished second at last week’s Australian PGA Championship, has yet to win an Australian Open and has made no secret of his desire to do so.

He was one-over after three, but then made six straight birdies to stay in the hunt.

“I mean, the greens are soft and there wasn’t much wind this morning, so a lot of those par-fives played really short, whereas normally you get one hole in the wind or something like that,” he said.

“So yeah, I was just able to take advantage of that.”

Hannah Green is one of the fastest at the Australian Open © William WEST / AFP

At stake for the men is a place at next year’s British Open at Royal Portrush, with the top three earning a place.

The Chilean defending champion Joaquin Niemann, Smith and the Englishman Jordan Smith have already been exempted.

Niemann, also on the LIV Tour, had a day to forget with 73, while Smith carded 70.

Australian Su shot nine birdies in her 66 to lead the women’s field behind Yang, just 17.

But they have Green, a three-time LPGA Tour winner this year, on their neck.

“I’ve been working really hard these past few months and I felt like I was hitting the ball a lot better and I was just happy and proud,” Su said.

South African defending champion Ashleigh Buhai struggled to 73rd place to finish seven behind.