The most recent LIV Golf recruit thinks the LIV Golf fields are superior to the ones he would normally play against on the PGA Tour this year.
Lucas Herbert, a recent addition to the LIV Golf League, acknowledges that playing against “stronger fields” than those he would normally face on the PGA Tour this season was a major factor in his decision to join the Saudi-backed circuit.
This week, Herbert, 28, signed a new contract with Cameron Smith’s all-Australian Ripper GC.
The former PGA Tour winner clarified that while money played a role in his choice, competing against major champions like Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Smith, and Bryson DeChambeaau was ultimately what sealed the deal.
Prior to making his LIV Golf debut in Mexico this week, Herbert told Golf Australia:
“It was guaranteed that I’m going to play against some really, really good players at every single event this year.
“You look at guys like Brooks and Bryson and DJ and Cam and Jon Rahm … you know, these guys are going to be at every event that I’m playing. And I just wasn’t going to play against the stronger fields on the PGA tour this coming year. That was a big thing for me.
“During the whole conversation, the biggest thing was that we wanted to make the decision that was going to get my golf game the best I possibly could get it by the end of 2024, the end of 2025, and the years moving forward.
“Playing against stronger fields, playing against better players, was going to be a big key in how I do that, and I think I was going to get a better chance to do that, obviously, out here on LIV.”
About the payment made to him to become a member of LIV Golf, he acknowledges:
“Since I’m probably going to get suspended from the PGA Tour, it’s helped with security.”
He continued, saying:
“I think it should allow me to set myself up, hopefully for the rest of my life playing out here, with $20 million events every week. Do not misunderstand, money was undoubtedly a factor.
Herbert’s remarks coincide with the PGA Tour’s announcement of Strategic Sports Group’s (SSG) massive $3 billion private investment.
Tiger Woods has showered SSG with accolades.
Herbert told Golf Australia that while he is pleased with his choice to join LIV Golf, he did not initially anticipate receiving a call for his services in 2024.
There were rumors that Smith was interested in signing PGA Tour winners Adam Scott and Jason Day.
However, Herbert had an open path because both players reportedly declined sizable offers from LIV Golf this season.
“To be honest, I didn’t think I would receive the offer. Basically, I didn’t think I would be in their sights. I therefore had to consider it and decide if it was the right decision for me before answering the call.”
Herbert now plays for Smith’s Ripper GC, which also includes Matt and Marc Leishman.
This week, Tyrrell Hatton and Adrian Meronk were also officially announced as new LIV Golf hires.
Meronk joins Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks GC, while Hatton goes to Rahm’s Legion XIII.
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