Curtis Luck has taken a share of the lead in a thrilling last round of the Australian Open. -AAP Image
Former amateur sensation Curtis Luck has joined joint third-round frontrunners Lucas Herbert and Ryggs Johnston atop the leaderboard as the Australian Open heads towards a thrilling climax in Melbourne.
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After Herbert and Johnston started the final round with a two-shot advantage over the rest of the field, Luck joined the pair at 15 under through 12 holes at Kingston Heath on Sunday.
The 2016 US and Asia-Pacific Amateur champion, Luck lost his PGA Tour card and has been plying his trade on America's secondary Korn Ferry Tour.
But the 28-year-old was threatening to crash Herbert's party as the Victorian fought to complete a rare wire-to-wire victory and claim his maiden national championship.
Herbert and the unheralded Johnston, the world No.954, reached the turn at one under for the day as 10 players were within three shots of the lead in pursuit of the Stonehaven Cup.
Warrnambool fan favourite Marc Leishman and 2023 Asia-Pacific Amateur champion Jasper Stubbs were one stroke behind at 14 under early on their back nines.
Harrison Crowe was one shot further back, with newly crowned Australian PGA champion Elvis Smylie at 12 under and still in the hunt for a golden summer double.
