GOLF: Lucas Herbert goes wire-to-wire at LIV Golf Virginia, earns US Open spot

Lucas Herbert has won golf tournaments around the world. He finally has his first title on LIV Golf.

The Australian completed a wire-to-wire victory at LIV Golf Virginia by posting a final-round 3-under-par 69 on Sunday at Trump National DC in Potomac Falls, Va.

Herbert went 24 under par for the week, four strokes better than runner-up Sergio Garcia of Spain (final-round 70). Bryson DeChambeau went 64-66 on the weekend to grab third place at 19 under before he plays the PGA Championship next week.

Herbert built an insurmountable lead by opening the tournament with rounds of 64 and 63. Even a double bogey at the par-3 ninth hole Sunday did not harm his chances much, as he finished with eight birdies and three bogeys on the card.

Herbert finished the week with 29 birdies plus one eagle.

Asked what he learned about himself this week, Herbert replied, "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," he said. "I had Sergio coming at me for 36 holes really hard, and he pushed me the whole way, made me earn that one. I didn't doubt myself. I missed a few putts here and there and made it a contest late."

A weather delay briefly halted proceedings late in the round, with Herbert up two on Garcia with two holes to play.

"After the rain delay, the way I played those eight shots, I'm so proud of that. I can't wait to celebrate with everyone tonight," Herbert said.

Herbert, 30, will have even more to celebrate. The victory vaulted him into third place in the season standings, behind Spanish star Jon Rahm and DeChambeau, which earned Herbert a berth in the U.S. Open.

Herbert, who had won on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Asian Tour before Sunday, was eligible for only two majors since the start of the 2024 season.

"There was so many things that came with winning today. I just wanted to focus on what I was doing and then spend this moment now figuring out what comes with it," he said. "That's a nice added bonus."

Garcia's day wasn't done when he landed in second place. The team he captains, Fireballs GC, went to a playoff against 4Aces GC to decide the team title.

Rather than choosing himself, Garcia used countrymen Josele Ballester -- who shot a 12-under 60 on Saturday -- and David Puig. 4Aces captain Dustin Johnson selected Anthony Kim and Belgium's Thomas Detry.

When they replayed the par-4 18th hole, everyone made par except for Puig, and 4Aces claimed the team victory.

"They both played well today. I was a little tired," Garcia said. "I would have loved to be there, but I was a little too tired. I thought playing from the back, it was a good hole for them. Unfortunately, David got a little unfortunate there on the second shot. He caught a little bit off a flier and couldn't up-and-down, but it is what it is."

LIV Golf is scheduled to return May 28-31 with LIV Golf Korea -- despite Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund planning to withdraw its financial backing after the 2026 season and the postponement of a June event in New Orleans.

-Field Level Media/Reuters