Lucas Herbert wrote his name into the history books of golf’s oldest major.
His score of 28 over the front nine at Royal Birkdale was tied for the lowest front nine score in the Open Championship’s 154-year history. The last time this was achieved was when Denis Durnian shot the same score in 1983, again at Royal Birkdale.
Herbert finished his round in the lead of the championship, shooting 62 to move to eight under par. His LIV Golf teammate, Cameron Smith, reacted to his round.
Cameron Smith reacts to Lucas Herbert making Open Championship history
Smith and Herbert are teammates on their LIV Golf team, Ripper GC, and Smith was delighted to see his fellow Australian playing so well.
Speaking after his round, Smith said, “Yes, I’m keeping an eye on the leaderboard obviously, but that’s some pretty good golf. I think he teed off a couple hours after me. He would have got a half-decent run those first three or four holes, but you’ve still got to do it. Yeah, pretty incredible. Hopefully, he keeps it going on the back nine.”
Smith was asked what growth he’s seen in Herbet since he joined Ripper GC, and he replied, “Yeah, just he works hard. He keeps wanting to get better. He was already good when he come and joined the Rippers a couple years ago, and you’ve seen him go from strength to strength.
“I feel like the team environment has really helped him, and he’s asked questions. Now I think he’s learned everything he needs to learn, and he’s taking advantage of it and playing really good golf.
“And he’s so confident at the moment. Like once he gets going, like this morning I’m sure he’s just hitting it in there to three and four feet on every hole and making putts. Like once he gets his irons going, it’s pretty cool to watch.”
He’s sure to be in the lead going into the weekend, so it will be interesting if he can maintain his form in the final group when the pressure is on.
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