3 months ago
19
Australian golfer Lucas Herbert believes superstar Rory McIlroy won’t have any problems adjusting to the tricky conditions of the famous sandbelt at Royal Melbourne, and rates him a sure bet to be among the contenders as he chases a second Australian Open.
Herbert’s prediction about McIlroy came as the LIV golfer also welcomed a recent decision for the breakaway tour to shift from 54 holes to four-round, 72-hole events next year, saying the move was a way for LIV to fit back in the broader “golfing ecosystem”.
“The good thing about a new CEO with LIV in Scott O’Neil, and a new CEO at the PGA Tour with Brian Rolapp, I do think now there is a vested interest in wanting to bring the game together a little bit more, and from LIV’s perspective, maybe making it less of a disruptive environment and more wanting to fit in ... the golfing ecosystem,” Herbert said.
“We see how good golf is in America with the PGA Tour, and we want to be able to make that impact across the world.”
Herbert was speaking after the opening round of the NSW Open at the Vintage in the Hunter Valley, where the 29-year-old is defending his 2024 title. After a three-month break, Herbert said he was pleased to grind out a two-under 69, which kept him in touch with the leaders on five under.
“I felt terrible, to be honest; it was pretty rusty out there,” Herbert said.
Australian golfer Lucas Herbert joined the LIV tour in 2024.Credit: Getty Images
Defending his NSW Open title is a key part of Herbert’s preparation for the summer of golf, where he hopes to break through and claim his first Australian Open next month after several years of contending, before falling away.
Herbert will have to get past one of the best, with McIlroy having struck a deal in May to play at the Australian Open. The Northern Irishman won the Stonehaven Cup in 2013 at Royal Sydney but will have the extra challenge of negotiating the unique quirks of a sandbelt course at Royal Melbourne.
Herbert grew up playing in those conditions, but he doesn’t expect to have an advantage over McIlroy.
“When it comes to Rory, he’s the best player in the world,” Herbert said. “I don’t think he’s gonna struggle doing anything with a golf club in his hands.
“He’s from Northern Ireland, which is arguably the closest you’re gonna get condition-wise to playing sandbelt golf, in particular, Royal Melbourne. So as far as adjusting to those conditions, I don’t think he’s gonna have any issues in the world.
Rory McIlroy won a dramatic Masters in April.Credit: AP
“And I’ve no doubt that if I’m in the top five, top three, last group, whatever you wanna call it, come Sunday, I’m pretty sure R McIlroy will be a name that I’ll be having to contend with to win.”
Herbert was joint leader heading into the last round in 2024, alongside eventual winner Ryggs Johnston, but fell away on the back nine and finished equal fifth. He said the crash still stings, and so too his poor behaviour as it unfolded.
“It probably still sits with me a little bit; I wasn’t super proud of how I carried myself, especially on the back nine,” he said.
“It was essentially a home Australian Open ... and everyone else in the crowd wanted me to win as much as I did, so there was a lot of built-up tension, and when I didn’t play well, frustration. And I’m not really proud of the way I handled it.”
Loading
Winning the Australian Open would not only fulfil a dream for Herbert, but it would also secure him a start at the British Open and the US Masters.
Herbert effectively farewelled regular starts in the majors when he joined LIV in January 2024, given the 54-hole tournaments were not deemed sufficient for players to accrue world rankings points. Herbert fell from a career-high of 40 to his ranking today of 276.
The decision by LIV Golf to shift to 72 holes, along with some further tinkering on qualification systems, is expected to result in players such as Herbert and Cam Smith earning world ranking points again, and be able to play in the majors without relying on invitations or exemptions.
“We obviously wanna play the majors,” Herbert said. “We know how important they are. The staff and the players still really care about those tournaments, and it’s important that we get into them. And I think at the moment, the best way to get into them is through the world ranking system.”
Most Viewed in Sport
Loading
