Herbert to strike while hot

Lucas Herbert could have gone back to his hotel on Sunday night, curled up in the foetal position and rocked while cursing what might have been.

The talented 21-year-old from central Victoria led the Australian Open by two shots after seven holes of the final round and had put a gap on his playing partner, former world No.1 Jason Day.

But both players faded as Cameron Davis came from the clouds to snare the Stonehaven Cup.

Herbert is now on the Gold Coast for the Australian PGA, starting this morning.

“I didn’t really need too much cheering up, there were so many positives to take out of the week, even though it didn’t finish the way I would have liked,” he said.

“Every time you are up near the lead you learn more and more about how to deal with it. Especially playing in the group I was in. I had a lot of people around me, watching. I learned how to deal with that.

“I gained a lot of confidence too. I matched it with one of the best in the world for two days. I know my game is right there and ready, it’s a matter of taking the opportunities while I can.”

Herbert, who turns 21 next Tuesday, played with Day on both Saturday and Sunday and after a first tee introduction found a common interest to discuss – NHL team the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“There were a few times where he’d make a putt then on the way past say ‘c’mon mate, you make yours’. It was pretty cool,” Herbert said.

“Sunday though, we didn’t talk as much, it was becoming a bit more of a head-to-head battle.”