Lucas Herbert surprises himself in surging to LIV lead
Mohen Govender |
Given the uncertainty facing the future of LIV Golf and its players, Lucas Herbert would have been forgiven for getting the yips.
Instead, the Australian put the pedal to the metal on his way to an eight-under 64 at Trump National in Potomac Falls.
It earned him a two-shot lead over compatriot Marc Leishman, Tyrrell Hatton, Sergio Garcia and Sebastian Munoz at LIV Golf Virginia.
Extinguished from his mind on Thursday were the bad thoughts and vibes surrounding the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia’s decision to end its financial support after this year.
Several LIV golfers are preparing for next week’s PGA Championship, but Herbert is not one of them.
But he could qualify for the US Open if he holds on this week – he’s projected to land in the top three of the individual season standings with a win, and the top three as of May 18 will receive US Open exemptions.
“For about two seconds, I wondered whether a win would be enough to do that,” Herbert said.
“Other than that, no. I got to where I am today pretty much not really caring where I was on the leaderboard, just trying to make progress in my game and my golf swing and being in a good frame of mind hitting shots.”
Herbert, 30, has won on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Asian Tour but is still seeking his first LIV title in his third year.
Herbert’s opening hole in the shotgun start was the 15th, and he managed birdies at Nos.16 and 17 before reaching the green in two at No.2. He holed his 15-foot eagle putt from there.
A five-birdie run in a six-hole stretch (Nos. 6-11) cemented his trajectory up the leaderboard.
He eagled the par-5 second hole even surprising himself how well he went given he was feeling sick earlier in the week and played only nine holes on a course he had never seen.
He figures that might have helped him not trying anything bold, instead listening to his caddie and trying to follow directions.
“I think over the last 12 months I’ve developed some habits that I wasn’t happy with, and I’m just sort of starting to get my teeth into fixing those.
“Yeah, I think my goal was to try and feel like I made some progress on those this week. Strangely, here I am sitting here in front of you with a two-shot lead after the first round.”
Herbert and Leishman have ensured the all-Australian Ripper GC lead the team standings after the first round, at 15 under and four shots ahead of Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII.
“We’ve been having a lot of fun,” said Leishman, whose team (captained by Cameron Smith) leads the season standings by less than two points.
“Obviously, the start we got off to was pretty pleasing as a team. … Certainly excited for the rest of the season.
“I think all the boys are playing well. We’ve bonded really well as a team. We have a lot of fun together off the golf course. We’re really competitive on the course.”
Elvis Smylie shot a 71 while Smith finished even par.
with agencies
AAP