Lucas Herbert says he owes fans after last year's Australian Open final round meltdown, with the LIV Golf star looking to make amends this year at Royal Melbourne.

Herbert is kicking off his Australian campaign with his NSW Open title defence, posting a two-under 69 in the opening round at The Vintage Golf Club in the NSW Hunter Valley on Thursday, three shots behind club house leader Lucas Higgins.

The 29-year-old Victorian was satisfied with his scoring, saying he "felt terrible" in his return to tournament play following a lengthy break that included a honeymoon.

Last year Herbert ran down his LIV Golf teammate Cameron Smith to secure a maiden professional win on home soil at the NSW Open on the Murray River.

He carried that good form into the Australian Open at Victoria Golf Club and was joint leader alongside eventual winner, unknown American Ryggs Johnston, heading into the last round.

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But the local product crashed out on the back nine with three bogeys to slump to equal fifth, missing an exemption for the British Open by two shots.

Herbert said the final round capitulation still stung, and in particular his behaviour.

"It probably still sits with me a little bit, I wasn't super proud of how I carried myself, especially on the back nine. 

"It was essentially a home Australian Open ... and everyone else in the crowd wanted me to win as much as I did so there was a lot of built-up tension, and when I didn't play well, frustration.

"And I'm not really proud of the way I handled it - I don't think I was a good role model to any of the kids that were going around watching. 

"So that's something I'd like to make up for this year, regardless of how I play."

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World No.1 Rory McIlroy, who won the Masters in April to complete the career grand slam, headlines the December 4-7 tournament.

Herbert doesn't expect McIlroy to have any problems adapting to the conditions at Royal Melbourne and believes he's the player to beat.

"When it comes to Rory, he's the best player in the world and I don't think he's going to struggle doing anything with a golf club in his hands. 

"He's from Northern Ireland, which is arguably the closest you're going to get condition-wise to playing sandbelt golf."

As well as lifting the Stonehaven Cup, the winner also receives a golden ticket into next year's Masters while the top three earn an exemption for the British Open.

This is a particular lure for the LIV contingent, although discussions are reportedly afoot for players to receive world ranking points with the breakaway league moving to a 72-hole format.