Herbert and Smith create dream scenario for NSW Open organisers
Lucas Herbert and Cam Smith complete their second round today
Golf NSW could not have scripted it better. The two marquee players in the field for this week’s Ford NSW Open are in first and second position as the event enters the weekend at the Murray Downs Golf and Country Club, with Lucas Herbert ahead by two over Cam Smith.
The Liv Golf pair provided a great boost for the $800,000 tournament leading into the week, allowing a greater amount of publicity for the event than has been the case for some time and they appear likely to offer a lot more over the final 36 holes.
The pair played together in the afternoon group on day two and while Herbert took a while to build momentum, his homeward nine of 31 saw him move past Smith who had taken the lead through nine holes.
A three-shot swing between the pair at the par 5 16th would prove the difference. Herbert’s eagle against a bogey by Smith would see Herbert move two clear and retain that gap to the finish.
Herbert used the frustration of a missed birdie putt on nine to get his mind back into focus. “That was a bit of a wake-up call,” the big Victorian told Golf NSW.
“It was a kick in the arse to get things going on the back nine. I would have liked to have made that one there and extended the lead going into the weekend … but there’s not much you can do. I had a couple of good breaks out there so I’m not going to get too caught up in that.”
Herbert made an important par-save on 15 after hitting a hidden rock in the bunker, then found the green in two on 16 and made a long eagle putt, forcing a three-shot swing against Smith.
“(The putt) on 16 was a bit of a momentum swing,” he said.
“I could have easily two-putted both those (15 and 16) and it’s a different conversation. I’m very grateful they went in.”
New Zealand’s Josh Geary, Victorian Matias Sanchez, Gold Coaster Dillon Hart and NSW’s Corey Lamb are just one behind Smith in a share of 3rd place.
