Australia's Lucas Herbert putting on the third green during day two of the Horizon Irish Open at Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesLucas Herbert recalled in his pre-tournament interview about trying to get to 20-under par during his Horizon Irish Open victory last year – he made it to 19 – while simultaneously trying to chase a mark set by Tiger Woods in winning the first of two WGC victories at Mount Juliet in 2002.
He responded in champion fashion, playing the remainder of his round in five under, one colourful in content too with two bogeys offset by five birdies and an eagle on the par five, 10th to sign for a 69. Herbert loved playing alongside Padraig Harrington, feeding off the energy from the crowd and the warmth. The galleries have not forgotten his status. They took to him last year and were happy to celebrate his good shots and encourage him once again.
A birdie at the first hole, his 10th, following a glorious wedge to eight feet and he made further progress by picking up shots on the fifth and sixth; a sole regret perhaps not making further inroads at the par five, eighth.