Herbert eyes Vic Open title

LUCAS Herbert missed the Vic Open this year and it didn’t sit well.

A trip to the PGA Tour China Q-school coincided with the 2018 edition and the young Victorian, who came so close to winning his state title in 2017, had to make the decision to miss for his immediate career.

Fast-forward a year and Herbert, who turned 23 this week, is now the proud owner of a full European Tour card after a stellar 2018 around the world.

And while he’ll have played a few events with his new card by the time the February 7-10 event at 13th Beach Golf Links rolls around, there will be few he’ll play all year that he’ll hold as dearly.

“I can’t wait to come back to Barwon Heads and have another shot at the Vic Open,” Herbert said in Geelong yesterday at the tournament launch at GMHBA Stadium.

“It’s my state open and I’ve always wanted to get my name on that trophy, especially now it’s become such an integral part of the Aussie golfing calendar and, on the men’s side cosanctioned with the European Tour for the first time.

“I love the crowd interaction around the courses and I cannot wait to have another crack at it in February.”

The trailblazing tournament, which also has earnt its place on the LPGA Tour for the first time, announced a new title sponsor yesterday, with ISPS Handa locked in for the next two years. Executive director Midori Miyazaki told the launch that ISPS Handa was delighted to partner with the concurrent men’s and women’s tournament, also part of the domestic PGA and ALPG Tours.

“It’s wonderful that these bodies can bring such a great event — and the Geelong region — to a global audience,” Miyazaki said.

“The Vic Open has been extremely successful in recent years in helping people see golf in a different way — and ISPS Handa hopes, as always, to do the same thing.

“We believe in the power of sport to inspire and being a part of arguably the world’s most inclusive tournament will help us to spread that message and break down barriers between communities even further.”