A run of five birdies in six holes helped Ryggs Johnston claim a share of the lead heading into the final round of just his second DP World Tour event at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
The Qualifying School graduate, who finished tied for 43rd on his debut at the BMW Australian PGA Championship last week, carded a four-under-par 68 at a rain-soaked Kingston Heath to catch Lucas Herbert on 14 under par.
Home favourite Herbert had cruised into a four-shot halfway lead by following a stunning 63 at Victoria with a 66 over Kingston Heath on Friday, but produced only one birdie in a level-par 72 to leave the door ajar for the chasing pack.
It was American Johnston – named after the Lethal Weapon character made famous by Mel Gibson – who took advantage with four straight birdies from the fourth, a run completed with a stunning approach to the seventh.
Further gains followed at the ninth and 12th, putting the Montana native on course to claim the outright lead heading into Sunday.
Herbert, who had made a bogey on the fourth, made a six footer on the ninth to briefly get back within one.
However, Johnston ran up a double-bogey seven at the 14th after a wayward drive down the right and firing a bunker shot over the back of the green.
Three-time DP World Tour winner Herbert endured a cold putter on the back nine, while Johnston saw a lengthy birdie effort on the last catch the lip as the two were forced to settle for a share of the lead.
“For a while now I've been in pretty high pressure situations trying to get my card through Q-School,” said 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.
“So I just try to take that with me and use it as something we'll look back on to kind of tell myself that, ‘hey there, a lot of people watch it and a lot of pressure, but you can still do this’.
“I think I've gotten a little lucky this week. It's being raining so much and kind of playing softer that it plays to more of the golf that we're used to back in the States, which is nice. Especially, I've never been to Australia and played golf here. So definitely it's probably working in my favour a little bit for that because it kind of makes it a new course for everyone.
“It would be huge for me to win for my career. But yeah, 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.
“It's been a long time since I've won a golf tournament. I'll try to use it as much of a learning experience as I can and hopefully it works out my way. But if not, I want to stay in it for all 18 holes and give myself a chance.”
Five players are tied for third, with China's Wenyi Ding, Finland's Oliver Lindell, Chile's Joaquin Niemann and Australian pair Elvis Smylie and Jasper Stubbs all on 12 under.
Herbert added: "A little bit frustrating, but sort of no ground lost really.
"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. So yeah, good result from a frustrating day, I guess."
