Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Australia’s Lucas Herbert extended his advantage at LIV Virginia on Friday with a superb second round 63 at Trump National DC in Potomac Falls. The 30 year old moved to 17 under par after 36 holes and opened a six shot lead over Spain’s Sergio Garcia. The result puts Herbert on the verge of his first LIV Golf title in his third season with the league and gives Ripper GC a strong position in the team competition heading into the final round.
Herbert followed his opening round with another flawless display, producing nine birdies and nine pars in a bogey free round. His latest 63 was one shot better than his first round and underlined the control he has shown across the first two days in Virginia.
“It was kind of one of those days, probably 36 holes, two of those days, of things that probably just come easy in some respects,” Herbert said.
“To be honest, I probably tried to enjoy it a little bit out there because I was able to, in the moment, see that that was happening and kind of just be able to sit back and appreciate it a little bit and understand this is pretty not normal.”
“You don’t know how many times as a golfer you’re going to get to experience that kind of feeling.”
Herbert produces another clinical round
The Australian built momentum through the middle section of his round. He made six birdies in a seven hole stretch from the sixth through the 12th holes, taking control of the leaderboard as others struggled to match his pace.
He then finished in style with birdies on the final two holes. The closing burst stretched his lead and gave him a commanding position with 18 holes remaining.
Herbert’s card reflected complete control. He did not drop a shot all day, continuing the accuracy that has defined his week so far. Through two rounds, he has now established himself as the clear standout performer in the field.
The Victorian has already won on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Asian Tour. A LIV title remains the one significant addition missing from his recent professional record.
Family time helped keep focus
After ending the opening round with a two shot lead, Herbert said he deliberately stepped away from tournament thoughts on Thursday evening. He spent time with his wife and her family rather than dwelling on his position at the top of the leaderboard.
“It was kind of good to get away from the fact that I was sitting on a two shot lead there and think about something else for a while,” Herbert said.
“I think we might be doing something pretty similar, the way it worked out overnight.”
That approach appeared to pay off. Herbert looked composed throughout Friday’s round and never showed signs of pressure despite the increasingly firm greens and changing wind conditions.
Garcia keeps chasing but remains six back
Sergio Garcia sits second at 11 under after a five under 67. The Spaniard is the only player within nine shots of Herbert, but even his strong finish was not enough to make significant inroads.
Garcia birdied the 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th holes. His late charge included a 19 foot birdie putt and a 14 footer at the par three 14th and 16th holes.
“I felt like, if I could shoot three under, it would be a really nice round and stuff. I managed to shoot five, and I’m still far away from the lead,” Garcia said.
“Yeah, it was a good day. Obviously tricky with the wind and everything and the greens getting firmer, but very, very happy with the way I handled it.”
The veteran Spaniard will need a fast start on Sunday if he is to apply meaningful pressure. At six shots behind, he remains the nearest challenger but faces a substantial task.
Richard Bland moves into third
England’s Richard Bland produced the second best round of the day, a bogey free 66, to move into outright third at seven under.
The 53 year old started strongly with three birdies across his first five holes. He added further gains at the second, fifth and seventh while keeping mistakes off the card.
Like Herbert, Bland is chasing a first LIV Golf victory. His consistency has kept him in contention, although he starts the final round ten shots off the lead.
Ripper GC takes control of team race
Herbert’s excellent scoring has also boosted the all Australian Ripper GC team. The quartet of Herbert, Marc Leishman, Elvis Smylie and captain Cameron Smith sits at 21 under in the team standings.
That leaves Ripper six shots clear of Crushers GC and Cleeks Golf Club. With Herbert setting the pace individually, the Australian side is well placed to challenge for team honours.
Team momentum has been an important storyline all season and Ripper’s collective performance in Virginia has placed them firmly in command heading into the closing day.
Major names remain in touch ahead of PGA Championship
Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm carded 70 in the second round. They are tied for seventh at five under.
While both players remain some distance behind Herbert, their presence still adds intrigue as they prepare for next week’s PGA Championship.
For Herbert, however, the focus is clear. He enters the final round with a six shot cushion, the lowest two round total in the field, and a chance to convert one of the best stretches of golf of his LIV career into a breakthrough victory.
