ISPS HANDA Australian Open - Day three digest

Everything you need to know from the third round in Melbourne.

Ryggs Johnston joined Lucas Herbert in a share of the lead while Lukas Nemecz's approach play was on point on day three of the 2025 ISPS HANDA Australian Open.

Here is everything you need to know from the third round in Melbourne.

Ryggs handling the pressure

American Johnston claimed a share of the lead heading into the final round of just his second DP World Tour. The Qualifying School graduate, named after Mel Gibson's character in the Lethal Weapon films, carded a four-under-par 68 at a rain-soaked Kingston Heath to catch Herbert on 14 under par. “For a while now I've been in pretty high pressure situations trying to get my card through Q-School,” said Montana native Johnston. “That final round is one of the most pressured. I mean, it's a different type of pressure there and I did pretty well. It would be huge for me to win for my career. I'm trying to keep as much pressure off myself as I can. So just trying to go out there and just play good golf and whatever happens, happens.”

Herbert still hopeful of home success

Home favourite Herbert struggled to find his best form during a third-round 72 but the three-time DP World Tour winner was keen to remain positive. “A little bit frustrating, but sort of no ground lost really,” he said. “I'm still in the lead, might just let a few more people back in the tournament but still leading, still where I want to be. Good result from a frustrating day, I guess. It's been tricky not to walk past the honour board in the clubhouse in there and see the last couple of names that are on that from winning major tournaments here. So that's probably the other thing about today was maybe it got more frustrating because I really want to win this. It looks so easy for Ryggs, who doesn't probably care about the Australian Open as much as I do, with no disrespect to him. It just means so much being my home national Open, I'd love to put one of these on my resume.”

Nemecz dialled in

Austria's Nemecz made this superb eagle on the 13th...

Then proved it was no fluke by almost doing it again on the 14th...

Defending champion Niemann lurking ominously

Joaquin Niemann put himself firmly in contention with a stunning third-round 64.

Elvis in the building – twice

Last week's winner Elvis Smylie joined Niemann in a share of third on 12 under and spotted an appropriately dressed fan in the crowd.