The 21-year-old at one stage led the Australian Open by two shots before a bogey on the 18th hole saw him drop to nine-under par for the tournament.

With the afternoon field still to complete its second round, Herbert was tied for the lead with Cameron Davis.

Herbert’s brilliant five-under par 66 on day two followed his 67 on day one.

Herbert is no stranger to the top of the leaderboard at Australia’s biggest golf event.

Last year at Royal Sydney he led after day one and was still in the mix for the title at the weekend before finishing tied for 20th.

Herbert’s great form at The Australian Golf Club follows on from his second placing at last week’s New South Wales Open.

“I set a goal of two top five’s in the next few weeks and I’ve already ticked off one from last week so I’m looking forward to seeing how I go,” Herbert said after his second round.

Herbert’s long hitting is suited to The Australian and he played the front-nine superbly in four-under par.

He missed a makeable birdie on the 11th hole before a superb chip set up another birdie on the par-four 14th.

Herbert’s sixth birdie of the day on the 16th hole catapulted him to 10-under par before his only blemish for the day came on the 18th hole when a short par putt lipped out.

“I’ve probably been pretty good all round, haven’t hit any bad ones off the tee and the bad ones I’ve kept on line,” Herbert said.

Tournament favourite Jordan Spieth is eight shots behind Herbert after two rounds, while Jason Day was lurking two shots behind Herbert early in his second round.

Fellow Neangar Park product Andrew Martin made par on his first three holes on day two to remain three-under par for the tournament.

Meanwhile, a solid two-under par 69 on day two wasn’t enough for Kris Mueck to make the cut.

After shooting a seven-over par 78 on day one, Mueck played much better on day two, mixing five birdies with one double bogey and one bogey.