Lucas Herbert (-17) is the runaway leader of LIV Golf Virginia, very much so you could say. Use whichever adjectives you prefer. Unleashed, more than inspired, berserk… there are few expressions that define what the Australian is doing in these opening two rounds at Trump National DC
The conditions on Friday were tougher than the previous day, especially in the opening stretch due to the wind that blew. The greens were firmer. Lucas couldn’t have cared less about that pepper. A round of 63 for 17 under par, six shots clear of second and ten of the joint third-place players. He produced every kind of shot. Stunners from the rough, three great putts, excellent irons and two very good escapes from the sand. To make nine birdies you have to be perfect and the DP World Tour three-time winner did exactly that
The lead right now comes with an extra prize. As the tournament table stands, Herbert would move up to third in the LIV standings and qualify for the US Open next June. Thomas Detry lurks in pursuit. It would be the fifth United States Open for the man from Queensland and the 17th Major of his career. There’s still a long way to go for that. Specifically 36 holes of golf. Ask the aforementioned McIlroy. Will he hold on to take his first LIV event
The man chasing the Australian is a Major winner. Who would have thought. A month ago Sergio García was an emotional wreck. His remarks at the Masters in Augusta were worrying. He threatened to hang up his clubs or at least felt that way at the time. This Friday, after finishing his round, he appeared on television and anyone would have recognised him. A smile on his face, waving at the camera and with a very optimistic message. 26 days have passed between the two images. That’s how tremendous this sacred sport is
There’s nothing like commitment on every shot and Sergio admits that in these first two rounds he’s pretty much nailed it in that regard: “I’m happy with my game, committed on almost every shot, I’ve worked a lot over the last few weeks and I’m proud of what I’m doing”. It was no surprise that the man from Borriol started to feel better about his game again, perhaps he is glad that it happened in such a short time
As yesterday, his finish was explosive. Four birdies on the last five holes have allowed him to open a gap on the third-placed, none other than Richard Bland (-7). Sergio was one under on the day with three birdies and two bogeys, but speaking positively and with the chance to close well. And that’s what he did
Meanwhile, Jon Rahm (-5) is in the tournament’s top ten after a round of 70 strokes. What a surprise. Without making much noise, the man from Barrika is tied seventh with his great rival of the season, Bryson DeChambeau. Two poor tee shots at 15 and 18 harmed him and he couldn’t recover in time, offsetting some of the four birdies he added. He nearly holed out for eagle at 8 with a great little approach. He could be higher up. If Herbert falters, there is no doubt Rahmbo will be one of the most alert
Those for whom the US Open objective has become an uphill task are David Puig (-2) and Josele Ballester (-1). They need to get closer to the tournament podium to dream of moving into third in the overall standings. For the man from La Garriga a fourth place would start to be enough and it is still within reach, but there is no room for further concessions. An even-par round and he heads into moving day nine shots behind Sergio and five off the podium. He has some margin, but must be precise for the assault on Shinnecock Hills. The man from Castellón improved his performance with a 70-shot round, but he needs to catch Sergio to be able to start doing the sums. Both need to go all-out this weekend. Luis Masaveu is second-last on +7
