Lucas Herbert Player Profile And What's In The Bag
By: Derek Clements | Mon 24 Apr 2023
AUSTRALIA’S Lucas Herbert came through a marathon effort to beat Aaron Cockerill in a playoff and win the ISPS HANDA Championship in Japan and secure his third DP World Tour title.
Herbert won at the second extra hole, recovering from an errant tee-shot before holing from 12 feet. Extra holes were required after both players finished the tournament on 15 under par following a thrilling final round.
After Herbert had narrowly missed his 20-foot birdie try at the 18th, Cockerill played the 72nd hole knowing a birdie would be enough to clinch his first title. But having found the fairway with a perfect drive, Canadian Cockerill sent his second shot into a greenside bunker - and it looked like Herbert had the advantage.
Cockerill produced a stunning recovery from the sand, though, almost holing his bunker shot before tapping in for a par to force a playoff.
Both men were just off the green after two shots at the first extra hole, with Herbert slightly further back in the fringe. After Herbert missed his birdie try, Cockerill's effort looked to be heading in before an agonising lip-out extended the contest.
Despite sending his tee-shot into the trees, Herbert managed to knock his second shot onto the green and roll in the putt to claim the title.
Herbert's 67 featured an eagle, three birdies and two bogeys, while third-round leader Cockerill signed for a closing 68 which contained four birdies and two bogeys.
Scotland's Calum Hill was alone in third on 14 under after his closing 65, one shot ahead of countryman Grant Forrest and home favourite Hiroshi Iwata.
Herbert said: "It's great. Obviously coming on board as an ambassador for ISPS Handa this year, it's great to win an event with them as the title sponsor.
"It's a real honour. And just to be back in Japan and win as well. I've come here so many times and loved it so to get back here and win, it means a lot.
"I think it's cool to be able to win everywhere and have a lot of good memories from all the spots in the world where you have played.”
Speaking about the up and down that earned him victory at the second playoff hole, Herbert said: "Pretty special. I got pretty lucky over there on the right to get a good lie after we dropped it.
"Nick [caddie Nick Pugh] gave me the number and it was basically perfect. It was exactly what you'd want off that lie.
"So it was good to hit a good shot in there. And then my hand was shaking all over the place just to get the putt started on line, and to have it fall in was pretty cool."
Player Profile
Herbert was born in Victoria on December 5, 1995. He represented Australian in the Eisenhower Trophy in 2014 and turned professional the following year.
He started playing on the DP World Tour in 2018 on sponsor exemptions and finished 47th in the Race to Dubai, ending the season in the top 100 in the world rankings. He was runner-up at the Portugal Masters and also had two third-place finishes.
His first win came at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2020, when he defeated Christiaan Bezuidenhout in a playoff. In July 2021 he added the Irish Open, leading from start to finish.
In August 2021 he qualified for the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, finishing in the top 25 to earn his PGA Tour card.
In October 2021 he claimed his first PGA Tour success at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
Last 10 Events
ISPS Handa Championship - 1st
RBC Heritage - T63rd
WGC Dell Technologies Match Play - T9th
The Players Championship - CUT
Arnold Palmer Invitational - CUT
The Genesis Invitational - T58th
WM Phoenix Open - T50th
Saudi International - 3rd
Hero Dubai Desert Classic - 3rd
ISPS Australian Open - T10th
Key Stats (PGA Tour: 2022/23)
Driving Distance - 300.0 Yards
Driving Accuracy - 53.01%
Greens in Regulation - 59.95%
Sand Saves - 43.14%
Putts Per Round - 28.13
Scoring Average - 71.54
End of Year World Ranking Position
2020: 70
2021: 41
2022: 60
What's In Lucas Herbert's Bag?
- Stealth 2 Plus 10.5° Driver
- Stealth Plus 15.0° 3-Wood
- Stealth 2 Plus 18.0° 5-Wood
- P·770 4-Iron
- P·7TW 5-PW
- MG3 50 SB, 56 TW, 60 LB
- Spider X HydroBlast
- TP5
Be part of the action with a selection of unique golf tournament experiences, from playing in a pro-am with the stars to watching the action at golf’s most illustrious events. Whether it’s the Masters or The Open, The Ryder Cup or WM Phoenix Open, build your own bespoke package with the experts at Golfbreaks.com.
What do you think? post your thoughts and feedback on the Golfshake comments: jump to comments here.
Tags: WITB Tour Pro player profile in the bag european tour dp world tour
