Lucas Herbert claimed his maiden LIV Golf victory in Virginia, securing a highly coveted spot at this year’s US Open.
Image credit: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
The Australian held his nerve through a dramatic final round to capture his first LIV Golf League title and a priceless ticket to next month’s US Open in New York. Herbert saw his five-shot lead trimmed to just one before regaining composure to fend off Spanish star Sergio Garcia in a thrilling conclusion to LIV Golf Virginia.
Despite feeling too ill to complete a full practice round earlier in the week, Herbert showed grit and resilience, closing with a roller-coaster three-under-par 69 to win by four shots. The victory earned him a life-changing $4 million (approximately $5.54 million AUD) winner’s check.
The Bendigo-born talent finished at 24-under par through 72 holes, while Garcia (70) edged out big-hitting American Bryson DeChambeau (66) by a single shot to take runner-up honors at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C.
Teammates Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, and Elvis Smylie showered Herbert with champagne on the 18th green after his wire-to-wire triumph completed a full set of LIV Golf individual victories for the all-Australian Ripper GC squad. Leishman claimed his maiden title last year in Miami, and Smylie held off Jon Rahm to win in Riyadh in February.
Lucas Herbert celebrates with Ripper GC teammates Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith.
Image credit: Mike Stobe/AP
Ironically, Ripper skipper Smith, a three-time LIV winner, has not won since his teammates’ recent breakthroughs—three years ago in New Jersey.
With his seventh professional victory, Herbert has now won on all four major worldwide circuits: the US PGA Tour, Europe’s DP World Tour, the Australasian circuit, and now LIV Golf.
“Probably that I can perform pretty damn well when things aren’t perfect,” Herbert said when asked what he learned about himself. “I was pretty sick all week and woke up this morning feeling worse than the past few days. Sergio came at me hard for 36 holes and pushed me the whole way—he made me earn that one.”
Despite the final margin, success did not come easily. Herbert birdied four of his first eight holes to build a five-shot lead. But after overcooking his nine iron on the par-3 ninth and needing three chip shots to reach the green, he suffered a double bogey while Garcia drained a 30-foot birdie putt, creating a three-shot swing. Suddenly, Herbert led by just two heading to the back nine. When Garcia tapped in a birdie at 10, the cushion shrank to one.
The momentum shifted again at the 11th, where Herbert sank a testing 12-foot downhill putt while Garcia missed a shorter birdie attempt, restoring a two-shot advantage. Herbert extended his lead to four after birdieing the 12th and Garcia bogeyed the 13th, before effectively sealing the win with another birdie at 15.
“I didn’t help myself—I missed a few putts here and there and made it a contest late,” Herbert admitted. “But after the rain delay, the way I played those eight shots, I’m so proud. I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone tonight.”
