Eagle-eyed Herbert cruises to five-shot win in Japan
In-form Australian golf ace Lucas Herbert has soared to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit with a stylish runaway victory at the International Series Japan.
As he does these days, Herbert the showman eagled the par-5 18th hole for the second day in a row to ice his remarkable five-shot triumph on Sunday.
Victory clinched a maiden Asian Tour and International Series title for the 29-year-old at the par-71 Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba.
Herbert closed with a seven-under-par 64 to reach 20 under for the week, daylight ahead of his playing partners, Japan's Yuta Sugiura and South Korean Younghan Song.
Victory completed an incredible run by Herbert, who was five shots behind the leader with three holes to play in the third round.
He engineered the 10-shot swing with two eagles in the last three holes on Saturday, followed by Sunday's 64 that included seven birdies and the eagle on the 18th.
The Victorian's reward was a move to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, as well as the International Series rankings.
It was also his first international victory in almost two years, since winning the 2023 ISPS Handa Championship, also in Japan.
The Ripper GC star, who played a full season on the Asian Tour in 2016, started the day tied for the lead at 13 under alongside Sugiura and Song.
The 33-year-old Song immediately moved ahead with an eagle on the second hole, but Herbert hunted him down with birdies on the second, fourth and fifth.
Herbert made a bogey on the par-5 sixth and another at the 15th, but he was otherwise rock solid throughout and shut the door on the chasing pack.
"I was thinking about it down on the 18th green, that finish yesterday really set it up,'' Herbert said.
"Very happy with the way I played today, I think it was the low round of the day, so that's always going to make it hard to beat when you start the day tied for the lead."
A second-hand putter he found at a thrift shop in Korea last week was smoking hot again as he completed the round in just 23 putts.
But Herbert also credited a new driver he has been using this year. It has resulted in three top-10s on LIV Golf, where he is now fifth in the standings.
"I've played really well this year, and I think the driver was a big part of this success,'' he said.
"The way I've been playing this year, it's been building to get a win at some point. So, it's nice to get it done here, especially in Japan, which is one of my favourite places."
Herbert is not wrong. He signalled he was trending towards this win when he closed with a record-equalling 10-under final round to finish runner-up at last month's LIV Golf Mexico City.
American Cameron Tringale (66) rolled in a 15-foot eagle putt on the last to finish solo fourth at 14 under.
International Series Japan was the third of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour calendar that form a pathway on to the LIV Golf League.
In-form Australian golf ace Lucas Herbert has soared to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit with a stylish runaway victory at the International Series Japan.
As he does these days, Herbert the showman eagled the par-5 18th hole for the second day in a row to ice his remarkable five-shot triumph on Sunday.
Victory clinched a maiden Asian Tour and International Series title for the 29-year-old at the par-71 Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba.
Herbert closed with a seven-under-par 64 to reach 20 under for the week, daylight ahead of his playing partners, Japan's Yuta Sugiura and South Korean Younghan Song.
Victory completed an incredible run by Herbert, who was five shots behind the leader with three holes to play in the third round.
He engineered the 10-shot swing with two eagles in the last three holes on Saturday, followed by Sunday's 64 that included seven birdies and the eagle on the 18th.
The Victorian's reward was a move to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, as well as the International Series rankings.
It was also his first international victory in almost two years, since winning the 2023 ISPS Handa Championship, also in Japan.
The Ripper GC star, who played a full season on the Asian Tour in 2016, started the day tied for the lead at 13 under alongside Sugiura and Song.
The 33-year-old Song immediately moved ahead with an eagle on the second hole, but Herbert hunted him down with birdies on the second, fourth and fifth.
Herbert made a bogey on the par-5 sixth and another at the 15th, but he was otherwise rock solid throughout and shut the door on the chasing pack.
"I was thinking about it down on the 18th green, that finish yesterday really set it up,'' Herbert said.
"Very happy with the way I played today, I think it was the low round of the day, so that's always going to make it hard to beat when you start the day tied for the lead."
A second-hand putter he found at a thrift shop in Korea last week was smoking hot again as he completed the round in just 23 putts.
But Herbert also credited a new driver he has been using this year. It has resulted in three top-10s on LIV Golf, where he is now fifth in the standings.
"I've played really well this year, and I think the driver was a big part of this success,'' he said.
"The way I've been playing this year, it's been building to get a win at some point. So, it's nice to get it done here, especially in Japan, which is one of my favourite places."
Herbert is not wrong. He signalled he was trending towards this win when he closed with a record-equalling 10-under final round to finish runner-up at last month's LIV Golf Mexico City.
American Cameron Tringale (66) rolled in a 15-foot eagle putt on the last to finish solo fourth at 14 under.
International Series Japan was the third of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour calendar that form a pathway on to the LIV Golf League.
In-form Australian golf ace Lucas Herbert has soared to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit with a stylish runaway victory at the International Series Japan.
As he does these days, Herbert the showman eagled the par-5 18th hole for the second day in a row to ice his remarkable five-shot triumph on Sunday.
Victory clinched a maiden Asian Tour and International Series title for the 29-year-old at the par-71 Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba.
Herbert closed with a seven-under-par 64 to reach 20 under for the week, daylight ahead of his playing partners, Japan's Yuta Sugiura and South Korean Younghan Song.
Victory completed an incredible run by Herbert, who was five shots behind the leader with three holes to play in the third round.
He engineered the 10-shot swing with two eagles in the last three holes on Saturday, followed by Sunday's 64 that included seven birdies and the eagle on the 18th.
The Victorian's reward was a move to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, as well as the International Series rankings.
It was also his first international victory in almost two years, since winning the 2023 ISPS Handa Championship, also in Japan.
The Ripper GC star, who played a full season on the Asian Tour in 2016, started the day tied for the lead at 13 under alongside Sugiura and Song.
The 33-year-old Song immediately moved ahead with an eagle on the second hole, but Herbert hunted him down with birdies on the second, fourth and fifth.
Herbert made a bogey on the par-5 sixth and another at the 15th, but he was otherwise rock solid throughout and shut the door on the chasing pack.
"I was thinking about it down on the 18th green, that finish yesterday really set it up,'' Herbert said.
"Very happy with the way I played today, I think it was the low round of the day, so that's always going to make it hard to beat when you start the day tied for the lead."
A second-hand putter he found at a thrift shop in Korea last week was smoking hot again as he completed the round in just 23 putts.
But Herbert also credited a new driver he has been using this year. It has resulted in three top-10s on LIV Golf, where he is now fifth in the standings.
"I've played really well this year, and I think the driver was a big part of this success,'' he said.
"The way I've been playing this year, it's been building to get a win at some point. So, it's nice to get it done here, especially in Japan, which is one of my favourite places."
Herbert is not wrong. He signalled he was trending towards this win when he closed with a record-equalling 10-under final round to finish runner-up at last month's LIV Golf Mexico City.
American Cameron Tringale (66) rolled in a 15-foot eagle putt on the last to finish solo fourth at 14 under.
International Series Japan was the third of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour calendar that form a pathway on to the LIV Golf League.
In-form Australian golf ace Lucas Herbert has soared to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit with a stylish runaway victory at the International Series Japan.
As he does these days, Herbert the showman eagled the par-5 18th hole for the second day in a row to ice his remarkable five-shot triumph on Sunday.
Victory clinched a maiden Asian Tour and International Series title for the 29-year-old at the par-71 Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba.
Herbert closed with a seven-under-par 64 to reach 20 under for the week, daylight ahead of his playing partners, Japan's Yuta Sugiura and South Korean Younghan Song.
Victory completed an incredible run by Herbert, who was five shots behind the leader with three holes to play in the third round.
He engineered the 10-shot swing with two eagles in the last three holes on Saturday, followed by Sunday's 64 that included seven birdies and the eagle on the 18th.
The Victorian's reward was a move to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, as well as the International Series rankings.
It was also his first international victory in almost two years, since winning the 2023 ISPS Handa Championship, also in Japan.
The Ripper GC star, who played a full season on the Asian Tour in 2016, started the day tied for the lead at 13 under alongside Sugiura and Song.
The 33-year-old Song immediately moved ahead with an eagle on the second hole, but Herbert hunted him down with birdies on the second, fourth and fifth.
Herbert made a bogey on the par-5 sixth and another at the 15th, but he was otherwise rock solid throughout and shut the door on the chasing pack.
"I was thinking about it down on the 18th green, that finish yesterday really set it up,'' Herbert said.
"Very happy with the way I played today, I think it was the low round of the day, so that's always going to make it hard to beat when you start the day tied for the lead."
A second-hand putter he found at a thrift shop in Korea last week was smoking hot again as he completed the round in just 23 putts.
But Herbert also credited a new driver he has been using this year. It has resulted in three top-10s on LIV Golf, where he is now fifth in the standings.
"I've played really well this year, and I think the driver was a big part of this success,'' he said.
"The way I've been playing this year, it's been building to get a win at some point. So, it's nice to get it done here, especially in Japan, which is one of my favourite places."
Herbert is not wrong. He signalled he was trending towards this win when he closed with a record-equalling 10-under final round to finish runner-up at last month's LIV Golf Mexico City.
American Cameron Tringale (66) rolled in a 15-foot eagle putt on the last to finish solo fourth at 14 under.
International Series Japan was the third of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour calendar that form a pathway on to the LIV Golf League.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Aussie star announces engagement to Olympic medallist
Tennis star Daria Kasatkina has capped off her first grand slam as an Australian by getting engaged to her partner Natalia Zabiiako, a Winter Olympic medallist. Kasatkina switched allegiances from Russia earlier this year, having previously said it was 'unsafe' for her to return home because of her sexuality and opposition to the war with Ukraine. 'For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it,' the 28-year-old said in April ahead of her first match with an Aussie flag next to her name. How life has changed in the space of three months. Kasatkina appeared to be the one to pop the question, with a picture shared by the couple showing her off a diamond ring on Zabiiako's finger. 'And just like that,' they wrote. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Congratulations rolled in from around the tennis world. Arina Rodionova, a fellow Russian-born Australian tennis player, joked: 'I will be at the wedding regardless if you want it or not.' Alex de Minaur's partner Katie Boulter said: 'Ahh congrats.' Priscilla Hon: 'Awww congrats you two.' Rio 2016 Olympics gold medallist Monica Puig said: 'Congratulations!!!!!!!!' One-time Australian Open runner-up Jennifer Brady wrote: 'Congrats Dasha and Natalia!!!' Former figure skater Zabiiako, 30, competed for her birth nation Estonia before switching to Russia for the most successful period of her career. Her crowning achievement — a silver medal in the pairs figure skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics — came under the Olympic flag in the wake of the Russian doping scandal. She now supports Kasatkina on the tennis tour and the pair document their experiences on a popular YouTube channel. Freshly minted Australian Kasatkina is fresh off a run to the fourth round at the French Open. 'I felt super good to step on the court as an Australian player,' she said. 'To feel the support from the stands so many times. I don't know if everyone who was screaming, 'Aussie', were from Australia, but I felt this support. 'Also, on social media I'm getting a lot of support from the Australians that they are so happy to welcome me, and they're happy for me. 'So this is the kind of support which I honestly didn't have before, it feels like it's something new to me — but it feels so nice.' Daria Kasatkina on her way to reaching the last 16 in Paris in her first grand slam for Australia. Credit: AAP Kasatkina also reached the fourth round at the Australian Open in January before the secret process to become an Aussie unfolded. The busy tennis season has kept the world No.17 from flying back to Melbourne to begin setting up her life here. But plans have been hatched with the help of Australian tennis veteran Daria Saville, who became friends with Kasatkina when they were both juniors in Russia. Saville, formerly Gavrilova, moved to Melbourne as a teenager and married Australian tennis player Luke Saville in 2018. 'We've been friends for very, very long time and to have someone like that as a neighbour, as a teammate, it feels great, honestly,' Kasatkina said during the French Open. 'First of all, she's super happy for me, which was super nice. She's always asking 'when you moving?', sending me the locations, the houses and everything. 'So she's very excited to have a new neighbour, and I'm also very happy about that.'
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Australian tennis star Daria Kasatkina announces engagement to Winter Olympic medallist partner Natalia Zabiiako
Tennis star Daria Kasatkina has capped off her first grand slam as an Australian by getting engaged to her partner Natalia Zabiiako, a Winter Olympic medallist. Kasatkina switched allegiances from Russia earlier this year, having previously said it was 'unsafe' for her to return home because of her sexuality and opposition to the war with Ukraine. 'For me, being openly gay, if I want to be myself, I have to make this step, and I did it,' the 28-year-old said in April ahead of her first match with an Aussie flag next to her name. How life has changed for the better in the space of three months. Kasatkina appeared to be the one to pop the question, with a picture shared by the couple showing her off a diamond ring on Zabiiako's finger. 'And just like that,' they wrote. Congratulations rolled in from around the tennis world. Arina Rodionova, a fellow Russian-born Australian tennis player, joked: 'I will be at the wedding regardless if you want it or not.' Alex de Minaur's partner Katie Boulter said: 'Ahh congrats.' Priscilla Hon: 'Awww congrats you two.' Rio 2016 Olympics gold medallist Monica Puig said: 'Congratulations!!!!!!!!' One-time Australian Open runner-up Jennifer Brady wrote: 'Congrats Dasha and Natalia!!!' Former figure skater Zabiiako, 30, competed for her birth nation Estonia before switching to Russia for the most successful period of her career. Her crowning achievement — a silver medal in the pairs figure skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics — came under the Olympic flag in the wake of the Russian doping scandal. She now supports Kasatkina on the tennis tour and the pair document their experiences on a popular YouTube channel. Freshly minted Australian Kasatkina is fresh off a run to the fourth round at the French Open. 'I felt super good to step on the court as an Australian player,' she said. 'To feel the support from the stands so many times. I don't know if everyone who was screaming, 'Aussie', were from Australia, but I felt this support. 'Also, on social media I'm getting a lot of support from the Australians that they are so happy to welcome me, and they're happy for me. 'So this is the kind of support which I honestly didn't have before, it feels like it's something new to me — but it feels so nice.' Kasatkina also reached the fourth round at the Australian Open in January before the secret process to become an Aussie unfolded. The busy tennis season has kept the world No.17 from flying back to Melbourne to begin setting up her life here. But plans have been hatched with the help of Australian tennis veteran Daria Saville, who became friends with Kasatkina when they were both juniors in Russia. Saville, formerly Gavrilova, moved to Melbourne as a teenager and married Australian tennis player Luke Saville in 2018. 'We've been friends for very, very long time and to have someone like that as a neighbour, as a teammate, it feels great, honestly,' Kasatkina said during the French Open. 'First of all, she's super happy for me, which was super nice. She's always asking 'when you moving?', sending me the locations, the houses and everything. 'So she's very excited to have a new neighbour, and I'm also very happy about that.'
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Aussie Huni suffers shock KO in UK showdown
Australian heavyweight Justis Huni's valiant bid for the WBA Interim world title has been ended by devastating 10th-round knockout to rising English star Fabio Wardley. The 26-year-old from Brisbane had stepped in at short notice to replace injured American fighter Jarrell Miller and for nine rounds looked in complete control in front of a raucous crowd at Portman Road, the home of Wardley's beloved English soccer team Ipswich Town. Boasting a glittering amateur career, including a World Championships bronze, Huni looked keen to display his credentials on the big stage. He demonstrated his firepower from the off, causing Wardley real problems with powerful combinations, mercilessly targeting the body as he racked up round after round on the judges' scorecards. Huni insisted he hadn't flown over 10,000 miles not to try to cause an upset and his stinging right hand, lively footwork and impressive hand speed continued to cause problems as the tiring Briton battled to contain his opponent going into the tenth. But it was then that Wardley somehow pulled out a stunning right-hand from absolutely nowhere, forcing an astonishing KO and sending his relieved fans into wild celebrations. "That's my curse. I even said before this fight it only takes one second to switch off, it happened tonight," Hunis told DAZN. "I'm grateful to Fabio and his team and to Ipswich to be able to perform in front of you. Get behind him, he's going to do great things. "He's just an awesome fighter. He never gave up and he got the win, he deserves it. Thank you Ipswich for the opportunity to perform here, I'm grateful." Wardley, whose win will boost his WBA ranking with the sanctioning body, was keen to praise the previously unbeaten Aussie for his performance. "I don't profess to being any Usyk or Justis Huni who has all the skills, but I know how to win fights and that's one thing I knew I had to do tonight," Wardley said in the ring. "Justis Huni is a great operator. We'd drilled everything over and over again. I should've performed better in some of those rounds. "He's a great boxer, some great skills and he showed me everything he had tonight. I didn't expect to bank rounds like that with Justis. I hurt him a bit in the first round and maybe I had too much confidence early on."
