Aussie Pair Fight It Out In New Zealand For A Double Reward Plus Northern Ireland Tee Time

7 months ago by Comments Off on Aussie Pair Fight It Out In New Zealand For A Double Reward Plus Northern Ireland Tee Time

The Aussie duo of newly-engaged Lucas Herbert and young Elvis Smylie tee-up in this week’s co-Australian/Asian Tour New Zealand Open with a triple goal – win the New Zealand Open, wrap-up the Australian PGA No. 1 money-list title and hopefully secure the one place on offer into July’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush

Herber and Smylie won within a week of each other late last year with the 29-year-old Herbert capturing the Ford NSW Open on the Australian PGA Tour and Smyle a second new pro career win a week later with success in the co-sanctioned BMW Australian PGA Championship.

They’ll tee-off with Herbert, who got engaged yesterday (Monday) to girlfriend Erica after popping the question at a stunning location high overlooking Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand’s South Island, lying currently third on PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, is hunting down the No.1 ranked Smylie, at Millbrook Resort, starting on Thursday.

Though in ‘popping’ the question Herbert admitted: “I had to wear a hoodie the whole way up in some warmer weather, so I was sweating because I didn’t have anywhere else to hide the ring box” — to pop the question.

“I think I surprised her. I don’t think she saw it coming, so pretty happy with that.

‘‘I mean, she seems happy.”

As well, the winner of the New Zealand Open, and not already exempt, will earn a tee-time in this year’s 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush.  At this stage, neither Herbert or Smylie are exempt into golf’s oldest major.

As Open Championship tee time will come as a result of their efforts in the New Zealand and it will be the No. 1 ‘Down Under’ title the main focus for both Australian players.

The 22-year-old Smylie enjoys a 512-point Order of Merit lead but can be overtaken, or alternatively he can secure the title, with 760 points to be awarded to the winner on Sunday and with then just three further events in March though it’s unsure if either will tee-up in those events given Smylie will be committed to his new DP World Tour honour while Herbert is LIV Tour based.

“There’s certainly a lot going on this week and to be honest, it’s a week that I’ve looked forward to for a few weeks now, because I knew this challenge would come up,” Herbert said.

“There’s not much I can do about Elvis this week. If he plays well, he’s probably going to put the Order of Merit too far away for any of us to catch.

“If I win I’ll give myself the best chance to obviously win that Order of Merit. So that’s the main focus.”

Back on his home Tour for the first time since the ISPS Handa Australian Open, Smylie knows he’s a hunted man this week as he tries to consolidate his hold on No.1 or even clinch the OOM title by winning on Sunday afternoon.

“It was a goal of mine at the start of the season last October – to win the order of Merit and the accolades that do come with winning the Order of Merit are quite big.

“Two out of the four majors, potentially more. It’s a dream of mine to play majors. It’s a dream of mine to compete against the best players in the world and to see where my game adds up and I’ve just got to keep playing well and keep giving myself opportunities.

“It’s exciting though to have the opportunity that I have. It’s obviously a position I’ve put myself in by playing great golf over the past seven months. We’ll see what happens this week and let it be.”

Both Herbert and Smylie have back-up plans should the battle for No.1 not be decided this week.

The current leader has targeted the season-ending The National Tournament (March 27-30), while Herbert may line up at the Heritage Classic to the north of Sydney (March 20-23) should he still be able to clinch top spot.

This week’s event features 18 of the top 20 on the Order of Merit with only Herbert’s Ripper GC teammates Cam Smith (No.2) and Marc Leishman (No.4) not making the trip to New Zealand.

While Smylie and Herbert are favourites to earn the 2024/25 OOM title, there’s still a chance it could go to any player currently inside the top 10 should results go their way.

However, plenty of those will drop out of contention without a win at Millbrook.

  • Copy with thanks PGA of Australia


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