Lucas Herbert leads the way as Cameron Smith endures an Australian Open collapse

Lucas Herbert is threatening to run away with the Stonehaven Cup following a stunning second round collapse from fellow LIV Golf professional Cameron Smith.

Herbert settled after a brief wobble to open a three-stroke lead on the field late in his second round at Kingston Heath on Friday.

Smith was behind in second place after a five-under-par front nine but, in a remarkable turnaround, finished eight shots behind Herbert.

The 2022 British Open champion advanced after officials put Smith and his playing partner, newly crowned Australian PGA champion Elvis Smylie, on the shot clock to slow down.

Smith hit three birdies and six double-bogeys on the 16th hole after receiving an unplayable lie-in penalty after his foul drive.

In less than two hours, Smith followed up his outside 31 with an inside 41 to finally post a ven-par 72.

The shot clock warning didn’t faze Smylie, however, as the 22-year-old carded a low 64 to move into third place on nine under.

He was three through seven on Thursday, but has racked up 13 birdies to roar back into contention to complete a golden summer double in two Australian golf championships.

Defending champion Joaquín Niemann was the other big scorer on Friday with a 66 in Victoria.

The Chilean Golf star LIV also made six birdies on the seventh hole, with two more late on to move to four under for the tournament.

Teammate Min Woo Lee is one stroke back on three after reeling off a terrifying double bogey on the 17th, his eighth hole of the day, in a round of 71.