It was mid-July and Lucas Herbert was waiting to tee off in the final round of the Irish Open.
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Herbert didn't want to play. He wasn't enjoying golf or the life that comes with being a touring pro.
On the first tee he pulled out his phone and called Sam Baker - one of his best mates in his hometown, Bendigo.
Herbert asked Baker if he'd be interested in flying to Scotland to caddie for him at the following week's Scottish Open.
The decision to call Baker wasn't based on his skills to carry a golf bag or read greens.
"I had four caddies this year and Sam's not in the top three,'' Herbert said of Baker with a chuckle.
The call home was more about what he was missing rather than golf.
With Baker on the bag, Herbert finished tied for 62nd at the Scottish Open, but the result didn't matter.
"That week, in particular, was where everything got serious for me and I really wanted to get away from golf,'' Herbert said this week.
"The following week was The Open at Portrush and I didn't watch a single shot on TV because I needed to get away from golf.
"It was really good for Sam to come over and we had another mate, Dan Rushworth, come up (from Huddersfield) and we just hung out in Edinburgh. I enjoyed life away from home that week more than I had in the previous two-and-a-half months."
It was the mental break from golf that Herbert needed. His second full year on the European Tour had become draining and he wasn't enjoying life like he had the previous season.
Upon return to the Tour a month later he felt better within himself and his results on the course followed.
"It was a long year of sleeping on planes and living out of a suitcase from hotel to hotel,'' he said.
"It wore me down a bit. I've figured out a few ways to do things better next year to ensure I enjoy myself more and not get so tired."
While Herbert finished 60 places lower in the Race to Dubai rankings in 2019 compared to 2018, the 23-year-old felt his game was in good shape.
"Considering how much I didn't enjoy being out on the road like I was, I thought my golf was surprisingly good,'' Herbert said.
"I didn't think my game struggled at any point. All my struggles were coming from factors off the course.
"I'd make a triple bogey or a quad from hitting a wild tee shot which would spoil a round. It seemed one bad hole would ruin my round rather than making a heap of bogeys and playing bad golf.
"Talking with my coach, our goals for next year are about me enjoying myself off the course, not missing home as much and finding better ways to deal with being away and having a job that's in the public eye."
Back on home soil to see family and friends, Herbert has taken the opportunity to participate in one of his other great sporting loves - cricket.
A talented junior back in the day, Herbert is making a cameo appearance for Sedgwick in the EVCA division one clash against Maiden Gully.
"When I got back, as a joke, I said to (Sedgwick legend) Cackles (McKenzie) "any chance you could get me a game in the A-grade",'' Herbert said.
"I didn't expect it to happen, but the Sedgwick boys found me a spot."
Sedgwick bowled first on day one last Saturday and Maiden Gully posted 8-286. Herbert rolled his arm over and finished with the figures of 1-22 off five overs.
"I enjoyed it, but I felt like I worked harder than I have in a long time,'' he said.
"I bowled some slow balls outside off and, luckily, one of their batsmen got an edge through to the keeper.
"I took a wicket and a catch...I figure if I can make one run this week then I've ticked all the boxes. Not sure if I'm looking forward to batting. Hopefully, I'm number 11."
After the cricket cameo, Herbert will swap the willow for a driver as he prepares for Australia's two biggest golf tournaments next month.
"I love the Australian Golf Club in Sydney, so I love playing the Australian Open,'' Herbert said.
"The Australian PGA is a good way to start the European Tour and get some points on the board for next year.
"I'll work on some things over Christmas and then in the new year I'll play the first four European Tour events in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and the Vic Open."
With a refreshed body and mind, Herbert is confident 2020 will be a better year on and off the course.
"If you get all the ducks lined up in a row then things tend to go in your favour."
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