Lucas Herbert held off his chasers to retain his Australian Open lead after a wet and dry third round at Kingston Heath.
But the Victorian fans’ favorite is in high company after dropping four half-shots with an even-par 72 in miserable Melbourne on Saturday.
Little-known and underrated American Ryggs Johnston joined Herbert at 14 under with a birdie-filled round of 68 as 13 players finished the day within five shots of the lead.
Johnston carded the front nine in 31 shots, catching Herbert even before turning in his fourth consecutive birdie at the seventh hole.
A double-bogey seven on the par-5 14th was the world No.954’s only factor as Johnston continued his impressive week on Melbourne’s sand belt.
Hailing from Montana and named after Mel Gibson’s Lethal Weapon character, the DP World Tour Qualifying School graduate arrived on Monday after finishing tied for 43rd at the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane last week.
The 24-year-old then plays this week’s other host course, Victoria Golf Club, on Tuesday and had planned to practice at Kingston Heath on Wednesday before the bad weather intervened.
Despite going into Thursday’s opening round “not looking good”, Johnston carded eight birdies — including five in a row since the 12th — and one bogey to reach seven under par and one shot out.
He continued his attack on Saturday to keep Herbert honest in the LIV Golf star’s bid to add the Stonehaven Cup to the NSW Open crown he won three weeks ago at Murray Downs, just two hours from his home town of Bendigo.
Herbert and Johnston are two shots past the five-way pack at 12 under, which includes defending champion Joaquin Niemann.
After starting 10 shots back, Niemann posted an impressive 64 to put the leaders on notice.
Newly crowned Australian PGA Champion Elvis Smylie (69), Finland’s Oliver Lindell (69) and Asia-Pacific Amateur winners Jasper Stubbs (68) and Wenyi Ding (68) China is also only two behind.
Marc Leishman carded a 68 to equal eight at 11 under, three shots off the pace, along with former Asia-Pacific Amateur champion Harrison Crowe (69).
An in-form Herbert, however, is still the player to beat as the 28-year-old looks to win the Australian Open and a rare wire-to-wire victory.
“It’s a bit frustrating but it’s not really a lost cause. I’m still in the lead,” said Herbert.
“I could have let a few more people back into the race but I’m still in the lead, still when I want to be, yes, a good result on a tiring day.”
A defiant Cameron Smith insisted the Open crown remains within striking distance despite a stunning second-round collapse.
Alas, the 2022 British Open champion will end his four-match summer home winless streak after tying for 49th at two under following a disappointing round of 76.
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