• Tue. Feb 11th, 2025

LIV Golf star eyes redemption at NZ Open

Byadmin

Jan 28, 2025



The New Zealand Open field is shaping to be a star studded line-up with LIV Golf star Lucas Herbert the latest to be confirmed for the event in Queenstown next month.”It’s a good start for me this season said Herbert, I come off a pretty big break from all the LIV events around the world so it’s a good chance for me to get some tournament reps in and start working my way into the season.”Herbert comes off a successful 2024 where he helped his Ripper GC team, captained by Cam Smith, to LIV Golf’s team championship. Most recently he won the New South Wales Open on the PGA Tour of Australasia. The Aussie overran LIV teammate Smith’s four shot lead to take the overall title.The 29-year-old told 1News about the celebrations for that event, and how he would like to replicate it on New Zealand soil.”The event was about a two-hour drive from my home town called Bendigo, and I’ve sort of won all across the world but this is the first time I’ve been able to finish the tournament and drive back to Bendigo.”I took the trophy down to the pub — I know the owner reasonably well and she kept it open for us late into the night and we celebrated exactly how you should celebrate a win.”If I won the New Zealand Open my first question is: ‘Who owns Ferg Burger and how late can we keep them open for the evening?'” laughed Herbert.The Australian has come close before — the last time he competed was in 2020 where he finished in second place. Just two shots behind compatriot Brad Kennedy.“It still haunts me, it’s a title I would have loved to have on the mantle piece,” said Herbert.That was my last tournament before we went into the lockdowns so I had four or five months just to stew over the last nine holes and how I couldn’t get it done.”I would love to come back and get my redemption.”Herbert’s return to the New Zealand Open is expected to add significant star power to a field already filled with top-tier professionals. The $2 million prize pool for 2025 only adds to the excitement.”We’re thrilled to have Lucas heading back to Queenstown next month,” said tournament director Michael Glading.”He is a very exciting player to watch, having come really close a few years ago and we know fans are going to be thrilled to see him in action. With Lucas joining an already competitive field, this year’s New Zealand Open is shaping up to be one of the strongest fields we have ever had.”The 104th New Zealand Open tees off at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown between February 27 and March 2.



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