Bendigo golfer Lucas Herbert is looking forward to a strong start to the year with events on Australian soil.
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After a whirlwind year on the road, Herbert has now secured a full European Tour card for the 2019 season.
“The biggest difference compared to last year is I won’t be playing off invites and without status on the tour. I didn’t have much of a say where I was playing week-to-week,” Herbert said.
“I had to pack my bags and fly half-way around the world at last minute which was taxing physically and mentally.
“Now I can write my own schedule.”
Herbert will kick off the year with back-to-back tournaments in Bendigo – Axedale Pro-Am followed by the Neangar Park Pro-Am – before he takes off to the Middle East.
He will play at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic before he returns to Australia to play at some of his favourite events.
Herbert’s plan is to focus on setting up consistency in his golf game when he returns for the Vic Open and ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth at Lake Karrinyup Country Club, where he finished T3 in 2018.
“I love that golf course,” he said. “I’ve played really well there in the past as it really tends to suit my game.”
“I feel like I’ve got a lot of confidence going to Perth and if I can get my game right that week it will be a good chance to get my season off to a good start.”
Following the stint on home soil he will head back to the Middle East to play the Oman Open and Qatar Masters.
Looking back on the past year there are many things Herbert has picked up to try and improve his game.
“Generally it’s all the little things, I like watching the veterans on tour and the way they go about things,” Herbert said.
“Everything they do is done so consistently and that’s something I plan to learn from.”
Herbert has already played in two of the four major annual golf tournaments – US Open and British Open Championship – and his plan is to add more to the list this year.
“If I can hold my current world ranking (83) I will be able to play the USPGA,” Herbert said.
“My plan is to play some good golf and go for an early push to get inside the top 50 as it would then give me a shot at the other three majors as well.”
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