Lucas Herbert accomplished a wire-to-wire leading performance to win the 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
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Herbert started the final day of the European Tour event at Mount Juliet Estate with a one-shot lead over Johannes Veerman and after a four-under 68 it was more than enough to secure his second win as a professional.
"It's an unbelievable feeling," Herbert said in a post-round interview.
"I was at one of my low points in my life two years ago when I played here at Lahinch in the Irish Open.
"I feel like I've done a full swing to come back around and win the event...It's pretty satisfying and I'm very happy standing here right now."
Herbert started the day at 15-under par in top-form and after two birdies on the par-four second and par-three third, he dropped a shot on the par-five fifth.
He prevented any further damage to his score with a chip out and a series of clutch putts to save par to make the turn at 16-under, but Veerman was still close behind.
Herbert made birdie on the par-five 10th but after a few missed birdie putts Veerman took advantage and jumped up the leaderboard for a share of the lead tied at 17-under through 14.
However, as Herbert's momentum began building again after a birdies on the par-four 15th and the par-five 17th, Veerman faltered with a dropped shot on 16, to hand him a three-shot lead coming up the par-four 18th.
Herbert made par, while Veerman bogeyed, securing the 2021 Irish Open title at 19-under total with four straight leading under-par rounds of 64-67-70-68=269.
Sweden's Rikard Karlberg was outright second at 16-under, followed by Veerman third at 15-under.
"Looking at the names on that trophy, it's pretty special, to add my name to that list is something that nobody can take away from me now and it's very, very satisfying to do it," Herbert said.
"I won in Dubai last year and how much that benefitted me winning the event rather than a top five or a top three.
A win is so much more than a second place so I was mentally trying to keep that at the forefront of my mind today - a win is a lot bigger than just a good finish and I was proud to finish the way I did."
The win has boosted Herbert to 54th in the world rankings and 18th on the Race to Dubai standings, and most importantly a spot in this year's British Open at Royal St George's in two weeks.
"It's awesome to play an Open championship as they are at some of best venues in the world that test you strategically," he said.
"I haven't played the course and there's always a great buzz around the Open as everyone gets behind it here in UK and Ireland.
"I am stoked to get this start."
Herbert will tee up this week in the Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club before the British Open the following week.
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