Lucas Herbert began the week at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open with a 64 to take the lead and never looked back.
The 25-year-old Australian went wire-to-wire thanks to a 4-under 68 on Sunday to reach 19 under at Mount Juliet Estate and seal the deal for his second European Tour win. Herbert’s first came in early 2020 at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, where he defeated Christiaan Bezuidenhout in a playoff.
With this win, Herbert punched his ticket to the 149th British Open later this month at Royal St George’s in Sandwich, England. Joining him at the Open will be runner-up Rikard Karlberg, who finished three shots back at 16 under, and Johannes Veerman, who placed third at 15 under.
“It’s a bit fulfilling really, I feel like I was probably really at one of my low points in my life two years ago when I played at Lahinch in the Irish Open,” said Herbert after the round. “The more big events that you play the better. You get more comfortable in those so I can take some more opportunities when I do get those chances.”
Next week the European Tour heads to the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, for the Scottish Open ahead of the year’s final men’s major championship.
