Unheralded Aussie pockets $5.5m, leaps 84 ranking points and secures US Open berth with maiden LIV win
Lucas Herbert of Australia capped off a wire-to-wire win at LIV Golf Virginia by closing with a 3-under 69 for a four-shot victory over Sergio Garcia at Trump National.
Not only was it the first LIV Golf win for Herbert, the Australian moved up to No.3 on the points list and earned a spot at the US Open in June.
It will be his first US Open appearance in three years.
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“My first major ever was at Shinnecock (in 2018),” Herbert said.
"Nice to go back and see what I’ve learned since then. Can’t wait to get there and try to play like I did this week.”
Given LIV players can now earn world ranking points, Herbert leapt from No.173 to No.89 following the result.
Lucas Herbert of Ripper GC celebrates his win. Getty
Herbert's victory, for which he pockets about $5.5 million, means every member of the all-Aussie Ripper GC has now won an individual event on the LIV Tour.
His teammates - Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, and Elvis Smylie - ran onto the green and sprayed champagne on Herbert in celebration on Monday morning.
He was running out of time to join the winner's list given LIV appears to be on its last legs with Saudi Arabia's public investment fund pulling its funding of the league at season's end.
It was the 30-year-old Victorian's seventh professional win and his first in a year.
Herbert had battled illness throughout the tournament and had to hold off Garcia in the final round.
"I can perform pretty damn well when things aren't perfect," Herbert said.
Lucas Herbert of Ripper GC celebrates his win with teammates Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman. Getty
"I was pretty sick all week, I woke up this morning probably feeling worse than I had the last few days.
"I can't wait to celebrate with everyone tonight."
It was the second week in a row President Donald Trump attended the final round of a golf tournament at one of his courses. Cameron Young won last week at Trump National Doral in Miami.
Garcia shot 70 and was runner-up, while Bryson DeChambeau closed with a 66 to finish third.
Anthony Kim, who won earlier this year in Australia, shot a 62 that helped his 4Aces team get into a playoff, which it won over Fireballs for the team title.
Herbert opened 64-63 to build an eight-shot lead, and while there were a few nervous moments, he coasted to his first win in his third season on LIV Golf.
- with Simon Brunsdon
