By Bernie McGuire in Saudi Arabia

Four years ago, Lucas Herbert was presened with a 21st birthday a gift of a bottle of Johnnie Walker ‘Blue Label’ whisky.

There was a proviso coming with the gift that Herbert was not allowed to open the whisky until he captured a first professional title.

After three second place finishes, Herbert broke through for maiden victory in sensational manner in capturing the 2020 Omega Dubai Desert Classic in a play-off from South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

And of all days to win your first professional victory, the 24-year old Bendigo-born Herbert achieved the feat on January 26th – Australia Day.

Herbert is this week competing in the second edition of the Saudi International and while he arrived at this week’s host course located around a 75-minute drive north of Jeddah to be congratulated at almost turn, it was very much back to business on the opening day of the event.

“I managed to get a good sleep-in on Tuesday and Wednesday, and behaved a little bit while I was not going to come this week if I was just going to make-up the numbers,” he said.

“So, the big thing I wanted to do was to turn up and be competitive and I am pleased to have done that this morning in shooting a three-under 67. He is just three shots from the lead.

“Winning in Dubai was my first on the European Tour and I arrived here in Saudi determined to give this week’s event a good shake. The great thing also it’s been a fantastic reception from all the players, the caddies and Tour officials have all been so congratulatory and with everyone so happy for me.

“My phone also has been pretty much in meltdown mode the last few days with my family, people who have helped me along the way, mates who I’ve known a long time and so many others ringing and texting me which has been so special.”

The young Aussie explained more about this bottle of whisky.

“For my 21st, my friends bought me a bottle of Blue Label Johnnie Walker but that I could not open it until I won my first tournament, so it took just over three years and that was the comment I made on Sunday about having a bottle of whisky to drink,” he said.

“I will be home next week for the Vic Open but the bottle is up in Queensland but I am sure we will do something.”

LEADERBOARD