April 23, 2023 – Lucas Herbert beat Aaron Cockerill in a play-off to win the 2023 ISPS HANDA Championship at the PGM Ishioka Golf Club, Omitama, Japan, and secure his third DP World Tour title and another success for the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus driver. The Australian Herbert got the job done at the second extra hole, recovering from an errant tee-shot before holing from 12 feet to banish the memory of the travel issues which saw him arrive late into Japan on Wednesday.

Extra holes were required after both players finished the tournament on 15 under par following a thrilling final round in the historic first event to be co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation.

After Herbert had narrowly missed his 20-foot birdie try at the 18th, Cockerill played the 72nd hole knowing a birdie would be enough to clinch his first title. But having found the fairway with a perfect drive, Canadian Cockerill sent his second shot into a greenside bunker – and it looked like Herbert had the advantage. Cockerill produced a stunning recovery from the sand, though, almost holing his bunker shot before tapping in for a par to force a play-off.

Both men were just off the green after two shots at the first extra hole, with Herbert slightly further back in the fringe. After Herbert missed his birdie try, Cockerill’s effort looked to be heading in before an agonising lip-out extended the contest. Despite sending his tee-shot at the second extra hole into the trees, Herbert managed to knock his second shot onto the green and roll in the putt to claim the title.

“It’s great. Obviously coming on board as an ambassador for ISPS Handa this year, it’s great to win an event with them as the title sponsor. And just to be back in Japan and win as well. I’ve come here so many times and loved it so to get back here and win, it means a lot… I think it’s cool to be able to win everywhere and have a lot of good memories from all the spots in the world where you have played”, said Lucas Herbert.

After arriving late on Wednesday evening, due to travel delays, and not being able to play a practice round the Team TaylorMade player trusted his caddy who had worked hard to learn every inch of the course in his absence, to guide him round the course. This hard work paid off seeing Herbert card four under par rounds 67, 68, 63 and 67.

Herbert began his second round showing his intent for the day with pinpoint accuracy with his MG3 wedge from the fairway bunker on the first hole to begin with a birdie to close the one-shot gap. Keeping it steady, but Herbert put his mark on the day putting his second shot on the par 5 fifth hold to twelve feet and slotting it home for eagle. Herbert kept his nerve for the remainder of the round being sure to recover from any setback with a quick-fire birdie and rounding off with 6 consecutive pars.

Herbert put himself in the driving seat on the second play-off hole hitting his TP5 ball twelve foot below the hole to finish with a birdie on a hole which saw only five birdies during regular play on the final day. He lead the fueld in Greens in Regulation (GIR) in round 4 woth 88,9%. Also has been first in Average Putts per Round for the season with 27.2. Now Lucas moves to Nº4 in the DP World Tour rankings, and to Nº42 in the OGWR.

What’s in the golf bag of Lucas Herbert?

• Driver: TaylorMade Stealrth 2 Plus (10,5º)
• Fairway woods: TaylorMade Stealth Plus 3 (15º); TaylorMade 2 Plus 5 (18º)
• Irons: TaylorMade P770 (4); TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW)
• Wedges: TaylorMade MG3 (50ºSB, 56ºTW, 60ºLB)
• Putter: TaylorMade Spider X HydroBlast
• Golf ball: TaylorMade TP5