There was a spot at Royal Birkdale up for grabs at the New Zealand Open…
What a year it’s been so far for Lucas Herbert.
The Australian’s Ripper GC team have started the LIV Golf season with back-to-back team victories in Riyadh and Adelaide, and now he’s booked himself a spot at the 154th Open Championship.
Herbert may have finished second at the New Zealand Open, but he gets the golden ticket to Royal Birkdale because champion Daniel Hiller was already exempt as one of the top 25 players in last year’s Race to Dubai standings.
Speaking to Flushing It Golf about qualifying for The Open, Herbert said it was “very nice to get it done this early”.
Herbert reached last year’s Open at Royal Portrush by coming through Final Qualifying at West Lance.
“My legs are thanking me right now for avoiding the 36 hole qualifier,” joked Herbert, who will fly straight to Hong Kong for the third event of the LIV Golf season.
A valiant week, a coveted reward.
Lucas Herbert’s socond-place finish at the 105th New Zealand Open earns him a spot at Royal Birkdale, where he will compete in The Open for the sixth time. pic.twitter.com/sVYTOiXSA8
— The Open (@TheOpen) March 1, 2026
It’s also been a pretty good start to 2026 for Hillier, who got married last week before winning his home Open.
“It’s the second best day of my life behind my wedding,” he told reporters at Millbrook. “I think this is going to be one of the best days of my life forever.
“I don’t know what number New Zealand Open this is for me, but ever since I started playing it, it was the one I wanted to get. I’m so stoked I managed to do it today. Everything that came out afterwards was just pure emotion.”
Herbert added: “I thought it was a nice thing to look out there and see Dan a week into marriage winning his national Open.
“I don’t know life gets much better than that for him at the minute. There’s a part of it that smiles at that.”