Lucas Herbert says he is desperate to get himself into Major championship contention at this week’s US Open after getting the first taste of it in his career at last month’s PGA Championship.
Herbert earned his maiden top-15 result at a Major at the PGA at Oklahoma’s Southern Hills during which he came within three shots of the lead with nine holes to play in the final round.
The 26-year-old Herbert had a horror back nine and faded to a tie for 13th but has now set his sights on getting in the mix at The Country Club at Brookline, outside Boston.
“I got a lot out of contending at the PGA,” Herbert told Australian Golf Digest on Tuesday at Brookline. “It was the first time in my career I’d competed at a Major. I had a good chance on a Sunday at a Major and that was really big for me. I learned a lot about being patient on a Major Sunday and how you need to execute under pressure.”
Bendigo native Herbert, who won his maiden PGA Tour title late last year, said he was already in love with the rustic and stunning design at The Country Club at Brookline, which will host its fourth US Open this week.
With rugged bunkering bordered by long fescue rough, plenty of blind shots and wild undulations, The Country Club gives off a Royal Melbourne or Peninsula Kingswood vibe. It’s right up Herbert’s alley.
“I love the course and can’t wait to see how it plays in the tournament come Thursday,” Herbert said. “I feel like the golf course has some Sandbelt characteristics in some places with some tricky false fronts and really interesting greens.”
Herbert said there was no such thing as being too prepared on a course that has as any blind shots as The Country Club. “I got here really early, on last Friday, and we’ve played nine holes every day,” he said.
“I feel that’s going to be a huge advantage to see so many different sight lines from the tees and experiencing the different wind directions. The guys who turned up on Monday or today (Tuesday) and therefore only play a couple practice rounds I think are going to feel underprepared.”
Herbert’s fellow Victorian, Marc Leishman, was also gushing about the course – saying it brought out his creative side and shot-making ability.
“The course is great; it’s a great design and it’s firm and difficult but fair and I like this style of golf,” Leishman told Australian Golf Digest. “You have to shape it both ways off the tee and into the greens. It’s really important to hit good iron shots because the rough is so thick around the greens and because your approach shots need to land into slopes on the greens with the correct spin.
“I’m also really excited to play in front of Boston crowds. We used to play in nearby Norton (Massachusetts) for the second event of the FedEx Cup playoffs and I’ve also loved the New England crowds at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut. They are always great they’re so fun to play in front of.”
Leishman has struggled for form recently, at least on the regular PGA Tour. The world No.52 at least recorded top-35 results at the Masters and the PGA. But Leishman flew in his long time coach Denis McDade from Australia last week and feels the pair sorted out his swing issues in the nick of time
“I’m feeling good; I had Denis in town last week because it’s been a bit of a struggle last few months,” he said. “He got me back to where I should be and I feel comfortable over the golf ball so so it’s good to be feeling that way at a Major.”
