Australian golfer Lucas Herbert has detailed the experience of his first US PGA win, after the 25-year-old prevailed in the Bermuda Championship by one stroke on Monday (AEDT).
Herbert shot a two-under par 69 in tough conditions in the final round in Southampton, keeping his cool in the driving wind and rain to take home the $1.55 million prize money, the largest of his career.
After he birdied the 14th with a stunning long putt, Herbert closed with four straight pars to secure the victory.
Speaking to SEN’s Whateley, Herbert offered an insight into what he’ll remember most about his first PGA victory.
“It was bloody hard, but very fulfilling at the end of the day,” he said.
“When you tap in that last putt and you hold that trophy and celebrate with everyone around there, it was very satisfying to come out with that victory.
“The putts on (holes) 12 and 14 were obviously big key moments in that final round, I think I’ll probably remember for a long time the feeling of watching them go down.
“To be honest, what I saw when I looked out from my umbrella on the 8th tee and saw the sheet of rain that was coming towards us, along with the wind that was already hammering, I think that will be another thing that stands out in my mind for a long time.”
The win moves him into the top 50 players in the world for the first time, a place Herbert feels he belongs.
“It doesn’t feel abnormal, I don’t feel out of place being where I am, I think the golf I’ve played in the last 18 months to two years has proven to myself that I definitely belong there, and that’s probably the most important thing,” he said.
“To me, it feels like that’s exactly where I belong, in that top 50, and I want to keep climbing that world ranking and get a little closer to the number one spot.”
Herbert has won twice on the European tour in Dubai and Ireland, however his best finish on the PGA Tour before this week’s success was 18th in this year’s Memorial event.