Lucas Herbert Rides Birdie Binge to Halftime Lead in Ireland

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Lucas Herbert
Lucas Herbert tees off on the 17th hole during Day Two of The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet GC on July 2, 2021 in Thomastown, Ireland. (Photo by Patrick Bolger via Getty Images)

Lucas Herbert carded a 67 on Friday at Mount Juliet Estate and will take a two-shot lead into the weekend at 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

The 25-year-old Aussie, who was the overnight leader, found himself three off the pace after an even-par start through seven holes. But Herbert rocketed back to the top of the leaderboard with birdies on Nos. 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13 en route to a 5-under par 67 to secure the halftime lead.

“It was a little frustrating, but I also felt like I did pretty well to scrap 67 out of that,” said Herbert, who claimed his maiden European Tour win in 2020 at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

“I holed some really nice putts and then missed some where I probably thought that was a good chance to make.

“The double on three didn’t help as well so for a round that hopefully is not one of the better ones of the week, I felt like I did really well to get a lot out of it and put myself into a very good position going into the weekend.

“I think it’s definitely something that comes with a win where you know you’ve proved to yourself that you can win, you can hit shots under pressure and actually win. So, I’ll be taking a lot of experience from that into the weekend and try and draw on that confidence as well.”

Scotsman Grant Forrest (67) and England’s Andy Sullivan (66) were joined in the lead chase pack on 11-under par, one clear of a second Englishman in Dale Whitnell (67).

South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout (68), England’s Richard Bland (66), Spaniard Adrian Otaegui (66) and American Johannes Veerman (70) were tied for fifth on 9 under, one shot ahead of an eight-player logjam.

Two-time major winner Martin Kaymer and defending champion John Catlin were among six more tied on 7 under, two shots clear of home favorites Shane Lowry (69) and Rory McIlroy (67), along with Tommy Fleetwood (72).

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell shot 67 to reach 3 under and make the cut on the number.


2021 DDF Irish Open


Round-2 Leaderboard: Top-10

Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 2)
1. Lucas Herbert -13 (-5)
2. Grant Forrest -11 (-5)
2. Andy Sullivan -11 (-6)
4. Dale Whitnell -10 (-5)
5. Chris. Bezuidenhout -9 (-4)
5. Richard Bland -9 (-6)
5. Adrian Otaegui -9 (-6)
5. Johannes Veerman -9 (-2)
9. Adri Arnaus -8 (-3)
9. Gregory Havret -8 (-3)
9. Richie Ramsay -8 (-3)
9. Antoine Rozner -8 (-4)
9. Julien Guerrier -8 (-4)
9. Min Woo Lee -8 (-4)
9. Marcus Armitage -8 (-4)
9. Jason Scrivner -8 (-3)

Notables

Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 2)
17. Martin Kaymer -7 (-2)
17. John Catlin -7 (-4)
34. Shane Lowry -5 (-3)
34. Rory McIlroy -5 (-5)
34. Thomas Pieters -5 (-3)
34. Tommy Fleetwood -5 (E)
44. Nicolas Colsaerts -4 (+1)
58. Graeme McDowell -3 (-5)

Missed Cut

Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 2)
85. Thorbjorn Olesen -1 (+4)
98. Eddie Pepperell E (-2)
111. Paul Dunne +1 (+1)
129. Padraig Harrington +3 (-1)
146. Haotong Li +8 (+4)


Material from the European Tour Communications was used to compile this report.


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