United States has seized the lead in the Eisenhower Trophy in Japan, but Australia is within striking distance going into the final day.
A 65 by Ryan Ruffels and 67 by Lucas Herbert, who has had an outstanding week, took Australia to sixth place yesterday with a 10-under total.
At 23-under overall, the Australian trio of Ruffels, Herbert and Geoff Drakeford trail the US by eight shots. The best two scores count on a given day, so the margin is not as big as it appears.
Ruffels had a brilliant Friday, taking birdie at his first hole, the 10th on the course, and having "a look about him'', according to team manager Matt Cutler. "I think he was keen to emulate what Lucas did on Thursday (when Herbert shot a 64). He stil lhad more opportunities than the six-under he shot, so if he gets some putts to drop he could have anything.''
Cutler was impressed by Herbert's performance backing up from his 64 on Thursday. "
Lucas was super solid, he's loving the environment and really plays well in front of a crowd, loves the situation. He's 14-under for the tournament and has hit his irons close all week.Geoff (Drakeford) has been up and down, feels like there is a low round coming, let's hope it's it's on the last day.''