Royal Birkdale has been exposing world-class golfers all week. The fairways are running like floorboards, and good shots can occasionally become awkward ones. Combine those factors with the wind changing its mind regularly and even though it has been far from a gale-force wind, it naturally lingers in the back of players' minds.
Imagination is being rewarded. Which is why, as the second round unfolded beneath the oddly searing Southport sunshine, it was impossible not to notice the Aussie names climbing the leaderboard.
Cameron John and Lucas Herbert. Two Melbourne products, Commonwealth Golf Club members, and a couple of blokes raised playing on the Sandbelt.
Suddenly, two players are making Royal Birkdale look a little more familiar than others.
John's three-under 67 was a determined display, vaulting the debutant into a tie for 17th and safely through to the weekend of his first major championship. Herbert, meanwhile, produced something even more extraordinary, equalling the lowest round ever recorded in a major championship.
When the members of the Commonwealth Golf Club wake up for their Saturday Comp, they can smile with pride.
Extending our very best wishes to members Lucas Herbert and Cam John as they prepare for this weekend's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
— Commonwealth Golf Club (@CommonwealthGC) July 16, 2026
Earning a place on one of golf's most revered stages is a testament to talent, perseverance and dedication.
We wish them every success. pic.twitter.com/C8NVdLeVXU
It was a reminder the Sandbelt remains one of the finest golfing classrooms on Earth.
Firm, fast and unpredictable conditions are normal in Melbourne's summer. Balls bounce, utilising contours matters, and recovery shots require creativity and vision. Players learn quickly that the obvious shot is not always the correct one.
John could feel that familiarity immediately. "Yeah, for sure," he said when Golf Australia magazine asked whether his Sandbelt upbringing was helping him at Birkdale.
"We get really similar conditions in Melbourne, especially in our summer. Our Australian Open last year at Royal Melbourne was comparable to this.
"It's a bit wider and a bit more forgiving off the tee, but realistically, we play most of our golf in similar conditions."
Plenty of players arrive at The Open needing to make fundamental adjustments to their games. John arrived with a degree in playing the game on firm turf.
"I felt like I didn't have to adjust my game too much; just come over here, get used to the ball bouncing again," he explained.
There are numerous PGA Tour layouts which are soft, requiring a "point A to point B" approach, and the ball largely behaves. On links courses, the skill can lie in anticipating possibilities and thinking ahead.
John, Herbert and the other fantastic products coming through the school of the Sandbelt accept that perfect contact does not always produce perfect outcomes.
John's own round wasn’t smooth sailing, but he had all the tools to deal with what Birkdale threw his way.
There were wobbles through the middle stretch, particularly from the 12th through 16th, where he admitted some of his shots were not his best.
"I sort of had a feeling that [tough patches] was going to happen at some point this week," he added.
The 27-year-old finds himself in genuine contention.
The first tee nerves were real; he admitted his legs were shaking. Jitters, he compares to his first Australian Open appearance.
Daring to dream about lifting the Claret Jug on major championship debut?
"Yeah, I mean, of course. I was daring to dream about two months ago when I qualified.
"I think it's important to have dreams."
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