Sawt Falasteen - Aussie Herbert wins LIV Golf Virginia title

Herbert fired a three-under par 69 to finish 72 holes on 24-under 264 at Trump National Washington in Sterling, Virginia.

"I can perform pretty damn well when things aren't perfect," Herbert said. "I was feeling pretty sick when I woke up this morning, worse than the last few days.

"I had Sergio coming at me for 36 holes really hard and he pushed me the whole way, made me earn that one."

The 30-year-old Queensland resident led the final 58 holes to book a berth through LIV Golf's qualifying path into next month's US Open at Shinnecock, where he missed the cut in 2018 in his major debut.

"So many things came with winning today, I wanted to focus on winning and then spend this moment on what comes with it," Herbert said. "Nice added bonus. My first major was at Shinnecock. Nice to go back and see what I've learned since then."

Herbert last won a year ago at the Asian Tour's International Series Japan event. His most recent DP World Tour victory was in 2023 in Japan.

Herbert began the day with a three-stroke lead over 46-year-old Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion.

Garcia opened with a birdie at the first hole but Herbert answered with a birdie at the par-five second, Garcia made bogey at the par-three third and both took a bogey at the fourth.

Herbert birdied the fifth to reach 22-under and lead by five, then both birdied the par-five sixth.

Herbert birdied the eighth but made double bogey at the par-three ninth while Garcia reeled off three birdies in a row at the eighth, ninth and 10th to climb within a stroke.

The Aussie, however, bounced back with birdies at the par-three 11th and par-five 12th and Garcia made bogey at 13 to give Herbert a four-stroke edge.

Herbert missed a three-foot putt and made bogey at the par-three 14th and both he and Garcia birdied the 15th to keep the Aussie three ahead as rain began under dark skies.

Herbert missed a six-foot putt to bogey the par-three 16th just before play was briefly suspended, then birdied the par-five 17th and closed with a par to complete the triumph.

"I didn't help myself, missed a few putts here and there and made it a contest late," Herbert said. "But after the rain delay, the way I played those eight shots, I'm so proud of that."

Q.Jaber--SF-PST