Herbert edges closer to LIV Golf win, US Open spot
Mohen Govender |
Unlike some of his other LIV playing partners Lucas Herbert is not in the field for next week’s PGA Championship.
But the Australian is certainly making a fist of it, and a really good one at that too, of trying to secure a spot for the US Open.
Herbert enjoyed another epic round – in fact even better than his opening 64 – by shooting a nine-under 63 at Trump National in Potomac Falls on Friday.
It rocketed him to 17-under for the tournament, six strokes better than second-placed Sergio Garcia (67) and 10 shots clear of England’s Richard Bland (66).
This is unknown territory for Herbert, who has never won in LIV Golf, but boasts wins on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Asian Tour.
He is taking it all in his stride.
“It was kind of one of those days – probably 36 holes, two of those days – of things that probably just come easy in some respects,” Herbert said.
“To be honest, I probably tried to enjoy it a little bit out there because I was able to in the moment see that that was happening and kind of just be able to sit back and appreciate it a little bit and understand this is pretty not normal.
“You don’t know how many times as a golfer you’re going to get to experience that kind of feeling.”
The timing couldn’t be any better for the 30-year-old.
A win would qualify him for the US Open as he is projected to land in the top three of the individual season standings – the top three as of May 18 will receive exemptions to the major.
Herbert holed nine birdies and nine pars in his mistake-free trip around the course. He sank six birdies in a seven-hole stretch from Nos.6-12, then ended his round birdie-birdie for good measure.
The Victorian said he spent time on Thursday night with his wife and her family, not thinking about his first-round lead.
“It was kind of good to get away from the fact that I was sitting on a two-shot lead there and think about something else for a while,” he said.
“I think we might be doing something pretty similar the way it worked out overnight.”
Herbert’s stellar score helped the all-Australian Ripper GC build a six-shot lead over Crushers GC and Cleeks Golf Club in the team competition.
Team Ripper, featuring Marc Leishman, Elvis Smylie and captain Cameron Smith, are at 21 under.
Leishman, who was tied second after his opening 66, had a one-over 73 and is tied seventh at five under.
Cameron Smith is at three under after his 69, with Elvis Smylie (77) at four over.
Garcia got hot at the end of his round, birdieing Nos.14, 16, 17 and 18. That included a 19-foot birdie putt followed by a 14-footer at the par-3 14th and 16th holes.
“I felt like, if I could shoot three under, it would be a really nice round and stuff. I managed to shoot five, and I’m still far away from the lead,” Garcia said.
Bryson DeChambeau and Spanish star Jon Rahm each shot 70 and are part of the tie for seventh at five under as they prepare for next week’s PGA Championship.
with agencies
AAP