Lucas Herbert will take a four-shot advantage over Bryson DeChambeau entering this weekend at LIV Golf United Kingdom Presented by JCB. The next closest pursuer is Tyrrell Hatton, but hes seven shots behind.
Herbert, who went wire-to-wire in Virginia two months ago to claim his first LIV Golf title, hopes he and DeChambeau can continue to separate from the field, leaving them to go toe-to-toe in Sundays final round. Only one other scenario would please the Ripper GC star more.
“Would love to make it a two-horse race with Bryson on Sunday,” Herbert said. “Or maybe a one-horse race if I can.”
The way Herbert is playing now, no one doubts he could run away from the pack. The 30-year-old Australian followed his course-record 11-under 61 in Thursdays opening round with a 6-under 66, fueled by an impressive back-nine response after DeChambeau overtook him for the lead midway Friday at JCB Golf & Country Club.
At 17 under, Herbert has the tournament in his hands; as a proven front-runner, hell be difficult to reign in. Even so, he remains cautious about his chances with 36 holes to play.
“Ive seen this happen before where it feels like theres only two of us in the tournament and everyone kind of gets caught up in that story and other guys come back in,” said Herbert. “I can think of Anthony Kim winning in Adelaide earlier this year when everyone thought it was the Bryson and Jon [Rahm] show there on Sunday. Were only halfway. We have a lot of golf to go.”
DeChambeau, at 13 under after his 5-under 67, knows the challenge will be difficult, especially given Herberts current form. Last week, Herbert was the 36-hole leader at The Open Championship after tying a mens major record with his second-round 62. He eventually finished T6, the best finish of his major career.
Asked what it will take to catch Herbert, DeChambeau replied with a laugh: “Just shoot 10-under-par both days. Thats what it feels like Ive got to do. Him being four ahead, its not going to be an easy task. ⦠Its going to be a great battle, no matter what. I hope I can give him a battle.”
DeChambeau can at least draw on the first half of Fridays round when he made up a three-stroke deficit to take the lead. DeChambeau was a bogey-free 5 under through 10 holes, while Herberts putter went cold, as he missed three par putts, each within 3 feet or less.
When DeChambeau birdied the par-5 10th while Herbert scrambled for par, the Crushers captain led by one. But the 9-foot par-saving putt by Herbert on that hole was a positive sign. He then birdied the par-4 12th after driving the green, eagled the par-5 13th with a 33-foot putt, and made a 10-foot birdie putt at the party-hole 14th to re-establish his multi-shot lead. He added another late birdie at the par-3 17th.
“It was not my best stuff out there,” Herbert said, “but that back nine, kind of hung around long enough to see my chance to take the lead again come to fruition.”
DeChambeau, meanwhile, played the final eight holes in even par, negating two birdies with two bogeys. Thats left him with plenty of work as he seeks his third individual win of the season while also hoping to make up ground against points leader Rahm in the season-long Individual Championship race.
“Ive got to focus on playing some really good golf, not making too many mistakes out there,” he said. “I made too many on the back nine today.”
He cant afford too many more this weekend. Meanwhile, Herbert is glad to be in the final group with DeChambeau for the second consecutive round.
“I actually really enjoy it,” Herbert said. “I’m glad I’m playing with him again tomorrow. He’s had some great support out there. There’s a lot of fans out there watching our group, which was pretty awesome. It’s a privilege to have him out here because he’s bringing a lot of eyeballs and a lot of fans, which we love doing around the world.”
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