Australia’s Lucas Herbert bettered his stellar first round by a shot and opened up a six-shot gulf between him and the field at LIV Golf Virginia on Friday in Potomac Falls, Va.
Herbert’s 9-under-par 63 rocketed him to 17 under for the event at Trump National DC. Spaniard Sergio Garcia (67), at 11 under, is the only player within nine shots of Herbert, while Englishman Richard Bland had the second-best round of the day, a 66, to take third place at 7 under.
Herbert holed nine birdies and nine pars in his mistake-free trip around the course. He sank six birdies in a seven-hole stretch from Nos. 6-12, then ended his round birdie-birdie for good measure.
“It was kind of one of those days — probably 36 holes, two of those days — of things that probably just come easy in some respects,” Herbert said. “To be honest, I probably tried to enjoy it a little bit out there because I was able to in the moment see that that was happening and kind of just be able to sit back and appreciate it a little bit and understand this is pretty not normal. You don’t know how many times as a golfer you’re going to get to experience that kind of feeling.”
Herbert, 30, has won on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Asian Tour but is still seeking his first LIV title in his third year with the league.
Herbert said he spent time Thursday night with his wife and her family, not thinking about his first-round lead.
“It was kind of good to get away from the fact that I was sitting on a two-shot lead there and think about something else for a while,” he said. “I think we might be doing something pretty similar the way it worked out overnight.”
Herbert’s stellar score has helped the all-Australian Ripper GC build a six-shot lead over Crushers GC and Cleeks Golf Club in the team competition. Ripper (featuring Marc Leishman, Elvis Smylie and captain Cameron Smith) is 21 under.
Garcia got hot at the end of his round, birdieing Nos. 14, 16, 17 and 18. That included a 19-foot birdie putt followed by a 14-footer at the par-3 14th and 16th holes.
“I felt like, if I could shoot 3 under, it would be a really nice round and stuff. I managed to shoot 5, and I’m still far away from the lead,” Garcia said. “Yeah, it was a good day. Obviously tricky with the wind and everything and the greens getting firmer, but very, very happy with the way I handled it.”
Bland, 53, is vying for his first LIV victory like Herbert. He opened with three birdies in his first five holes (Nos. 8-12), then added birdies coming in at Nos. 2, 5 and 7 while staying bogey-free.
Bland said he’s winding down his playing career and content with where things stand.
“I kind of earmarked next year would probably be my last year of playing full-time, as I do right now. Then going forward, really kind of scattered, but play where I want to play.
“… So, yeah, semi-retirement, it’s getting a lot nearer — and that’s fine. I’m OK with that. I’ve had one helluva ride out here and the best decision I ever made.”
Bryson DeChambeau and Spanish star Jon Rahm each shot 70 Friday and are part of a tie for seventh at 5 under as they prepare for next week’s PGA Championship.
–Field Level Media
