2023 Butterfield Bermuda Championship: Top 10 Power Rankings at Port Royal GC
Lucas Herbert is back to defend his title, just a year late. The Aussie didn’t make it to the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in 2022 due to being a groomsman in his friend’s wedding that week.
His schedule is cleared up, which should be good news for Herbert. He’s played at Port Royal just once but looked like he’s played there 100 times. Herbert posted 70-65-65-69 (-15) to win by one over a pair of future LIV defectors, Danny Lee and Patrick Reed.
Herbert grinded to stay under par in difficult conditions on Thursday and Sunday. He went low when the wind died down and low scores were out there.
Windy golf courses abound in Australia.
It can be a cliche to assume most Aussies are good wind players, but Herbert backs it up. He finds those conditions advantageous.
"“I love playing when it’s really hard,” Herbert was transcribed by Tee Scripts after his win in 2021. “I think it makes you be that little bit better and it just eliminates the guys who maybe aren’t as good that are hitting shots that don’t get affected by wind or rain as much.”"
The 27-year-old has since added a worldwide win on the DP World Tour in April at the ISPS Handa Championship in Japan.
Herbert hasn’t been quite as sharp on the PGA Tour in 2023, but he’s flashing a little form this fall. Three of his last four results are between T-28th and T-31th. The T-31st came last week where he fired 16-under at the World Wide Technology Championship.
I think Herbert would gladly take 16-under again this week.
Herbert missed out on the FedEx Cup Playoffs, so he’s grinding to keep his card for next season with his two-year exemption from winning the 2021 Butterfield Bermuda Championship about to expire.
He’s ticked up from No. 153 to No. 144 since the FedEx Cup Fall began. With two weeks left, it’s time to strike.
Given his world rank and conditional status he’ll have next year, Herbert will still be able to make plenty of starts in non-Signature events next year. It’s not the end of the world if he can’t crack the top 125, but he’ll be plenty motivated at a course that fits him well.