Lucas Herbert's first LIV Golf title sends him to the U.S. Open

Lucas Herbert secured a U.S. Open berth from a wire-to-wire victory at LIV Golf Virginia that also ensured the Australian owns career victories on every major tour in golf.

LIV, which recently had Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund confirm it would not fund the league after 2026, staged its first event in the U.S. for the season at Trump National in Washington, D.C.

Herbert battled the flu all week and did not see the front nine at the golf course before the event started on Thursday. Beware the injured golfer.

Herbert was superb during opening rounds of 64-63 before a 68 on Day 3 and a closing 69 to finish at 24 under, four shots ahead of Sergio Garcia in second. Bryson DeChambeau was third at 19 under.

The 30-year-old Aussie now owns career titles across LIV, the PGA Tour (2021 Bermuda Championship), DP World Tour (2020 Dubai Desert Classic, 2021 Irish Open and 2023 ISPS Handa Championship in Japan) and Asian Tour (2025 International Series Japan).

He joined the league in 2024, and his maiden LIV victory wasn’t without drama.

On Sunday, he was four over on the par 3s including a double bogey that nearly changed everything. Herbert missed the green at the par-3 ninth and his pitch shot rolled back off the green, and he missed the ensuing bogey putt. Playing partner Garcia birdied the hole and within a 10-minute span, Herbert’s five-shot lead had contracted to two. Garcia then birdied the 10th to reduce the deficit to one.

Herbert remained composed and birdied 11 and 12, before two bogeys and two birdies in a four-hole stretch. He even survived a 45-minute weather delay late in the round to ice his dominant win.

“I didn't doubt myself; I missed a few putts here and there and made it a contest late,” Herbert said. “But after the rain delay, the way I played those eight shots [a birdie at the par-5 17th and par at the par-4 18th], I'm so proud of that. I can't wait to celebrate with everyone tonight.”

Asked what he learned about himself, Herbert said after his $4 million individual victory, “Probably that I can perform pretty damn well when things aren't perfect.

“I was pretty sick all week, and I woke up this morning probably feeling worse than I did the last few days. I had Sergio coming at me for 36 holes really hard, and he pushed me the whole way, made me earn that one.”