The 27-year-old Aussie certainly has much to play for at TPC Sawgrass over the next four days. Following up the third place finish he posted in Dubai earlier this year with another stellar performance would surely catapult Herbert into the top-50 in the world rankings. He currently sits in 51st place.

“The year so far has been pretty positive,” says Herbert. “But not much has gone my way over the last few weeks. I played nicely in Phoenix and LA but didn’t get the results my play deserved. Then I missed the cut by one at Bay Hill. So, there are a lot of good things happening. I just need to put it all together in one week. I’m a bit frustrated to be honest. I know I’m playing well – which won’t last forever – so I need to capitalise on my good form.”

The biggest difference in Herbert’s game in 2023 has been off the tee. Working with long-time coach, Dom Azzopardi, over the Christmas break, he switched from a draw to a fade off the tee. Already world-class on the greens – Herbert topped the ‘strokes-gained’ putting on the PGA Tour last year – the effect has already paid dividends. Statistically at least, Herbert posted the best driving numbers of his career last week at Bay Hill.

“We know that Lucas’ good is competitive with anyone,” says Azzopardi, who has worked with Herbert off and on since he was 13. “He’s shown that a lot over the last couple of years. But that is true of a lot of guys at his level. We know he can win on the PGA Tour; he’s done that. The challenge now is to bring his best to the table more times than not.

“His approach play has really improved because he is driving it better. He’s close. We just need to tidy up a few little things. He goes under the radar a little. But there are so many good players in his age group who are playing a little bit better. That’s the challenge for him. To keep improving and pass those guys.”

Indeed, Herbert has never been afraid of a challenge.

Lucas Herbert practices his bunker play on the eve of the Players first round. PHOTO: Getty Images.

Not too long ago, he was teeing-up in unlikely places like Canada and China in an effort to further his career. Indeed, the life he has now is a long way from that he was far from enjoying in 2017.

“I went to the Q-school in Canada early that year and got my card,” he says. “I didn’t really have much status though. So, I was qualifying on Mondays. I missed the first three by a shot each time. So that wasn’t working out. I came home in the middle of the year and played Fiji and the Diamond Cup in Japan. I had my card in Australia but that was never going to be enough. Then I went to the Web.com Q-school and missed there. I was running out of immediate options.”

Then it all changed for the better. One week after running second in the 2017 New South Wales Open, Herbert was playing alongside Jason Day in the final group on the weekend in the Australian Open. Leading with nine-holes to play, the youngster faded to a T6 finish, but it was what the modern world likes to call “a great learning experience.”

“Even with all that happened for me over the next year or so, the biggest thing was playing with Jason at The Australian,” says Herbert. “I got so much out of that. My swing coach and my mental coach both said I matured about three years that weekend. It was just seeing how he played and the way he hit the ball.

“I realised I wasn’t that far away. I’d never really seen anyone on that level up close, apart from playing nine-holes in a practice round with Adam Scott. But that isn’t tournament golf in tournament conditions. Plus, Jason and I were the last group out. It wasn’t as if we were out first on Saturday morning. I saw his good stuff.”

"...It feels like America hasn’t really seen what I can do. No one here really knows who I am. I want to rectify that.” – Lucas Herbert.

One week later, things took an even better turn for Herbert. Fighting mental and physical exhaustion, his T7 finish in the Australian PGA Championship gave him the opportunity to take up affiliate membership of the Old World circuit. And so it went on – and on and on. A T8 finish in the Singapore Open gave Herbert entry into the Open Championship at Carnoustie. Third in the World Super 6 in Perth and T3 in the Sicilian Open meant even more points on the European Tour’s “Race to Dubai.” He was off and running. 

All of which seems a long way from teeing-up in the so-called “fifth major.” Armed with that new-found confidence off the tee, Herbert is making positive noises about an event and course he played for the first time last year. 

“The way I am driving it now, this place really suits my eye,” he says. “I feel like I can get more tee-shots in play. That still feels a little weird, but it is a strength of mine now. The greens are pretty funky, so you need imagination in your short game. But Aussies have always had that, which is part of why we have been so successful here over the years. It sets up well for us.”

In the bigger picture, Herbert is one who has no problems with the proposed “elevated events” that will dominate the PGA Tour schedule next year. As things stand, he would miss out on those elite fields. But time is on his side. And he’s up for the job.

“While I have a PGA Tour card, the changes to the schedule won’t make my life any harder,” he insists. “I like that there is going to be 16 events where the best 50 players in the world will all be playing. That has to be good. We all want to see the sort of showdowns that are likely to happen. 

“And yes, right now I won’t be in them all. But my goal is to play my way into those elite fields. I believe I can. All I have to do is play well. So, my target for the rest of this year is obvious. I want to get into those elevated events in 2024. That would be so much fun. And the best way to find out how good I can be. It feels like America hasn’t really seen what I can do. No one here really knows who I am. I want to rectify that.”

Sounds like a plan. One that will hopefully kick into gear this week.