After winning three DP World Tour events and playing in more than 14 majors, you could say that this Cameron Smith teammate was one of the biggest stars from the Land Down Under. Smith joined LIV Golf in 2022, but two years later, in 2024, he signed Lucas Herbert to complete his All-Australian dream team. Making his LIV Golf debut, Herbert also signed a lucrative deal with the breakaway circuit.

Although he attracted some criticism for his move, in one way or another, Herbert proved why this deal benefitted him and the community back in Australia. Coming from the Bendigo area in Victoria, Herbert was a recipient of the Cyril Michelsen Trust Fund in 2010-11 to support the traveling and gear finances for his amateur career. Now, as he climbs the stairs of success, Herbert is giving back to his community.

In 2023, the Australian native started the Lucas Herbert Golf Scholarship, giving away money directly to a few winners for their financial needs. This year as well, Herbert was present at Red Energy Arena in West Bendigo and awarded his scholarship to six talented amateurs from Neangar Park, Bendigo, and Axedale golf clubs for the second year in a row. Rippers GC, the 3-time DP World Tour’s team, posted on Instagram to reveal Herbert’s grand gesture.

Along with the financial aid, the six amateurs will also receive a 12-month gym membership at the D-Club 24/7 training facility in Bendigo’s Bath Lane. Although the LIV Golf pros’s contracts have become a juicy topic in the golf world as the PGA Tour golfers asked them to return the money for the PGA Tour reinstatement, it is one solid reason why Herbert could attain his dream and why he signed with LIV Golf.

Lucas Herbert wouldn’t have had his scholarship if not for LIV

One of the biggest reasons why Lucas Herbert even considered LIV Golf was because he was going to lose his PGA Tour in the 2024 season and didn’t have the eligibility to play all the signature events. As he looked into the future, the controversial LIV move seemed sensible, and Herbert signed the deal. Although his contract duration and exact amount are undisclosed, Hebert once said, “The money was definitely a factor; don’t get me wrong. We wanted to make sure I was looked after well enough… It’s definitely great for me.” 

Before you give Herbert the tag of being too greedy, it should be remembered that the 1-time PGA Tour winner did this for his stable future and the coming Australian players. As well known, golf in Australia is not elevated to a level as it is in the USA; thus, amateurs need better assistance and help. And that’s all Herbert is providing. If he had lost the PGA Tour card in 2024, it would’ve been impossible for him to continue his scholarship and help the amateurs.

This is one of the reasons why he signed up for the breakaway circuit. He added, “I hadn’t really thought too much about what I wanted to leave as a legacy in the game of golf. But one of the things I wanted to do was I wanted to leave a good impression on Australian golf. I wanted to leave it better than I found it.” And surely, he is leaving a great impression on the amateurs and giving them a pathway to have a well-assisted journey as they turn pro.