Away from golf, Herbert found himself — and maybe his game

NAPA — So you’re a broker or a butcher or whatever and feel you need a break, maybe a day on the links to refresh. But how do you escape if you earn your pay as a touring professional golfer?

If you’re Lucas Herbert, instead of throwing caution to the winds you figuratively throw your clubs in the closet, put away your pitching wedge, and pick up a guitar.

And in the process pick up your spirits.

“Yeah, golf’s been getting me down,” said Herbert. “I missed the cut in the (British) Open Championship and then I didn’t want to think about golf, talk about golf. It was a tough stretch. I had a lot going on, in my life and on the course.”

What went on Thursday at the Fortinet Championship at Silverado when both Herbert and the PGA Tour returned after their respective breaks, Herbert’s a couple of months and the Tour a couple of weeks, was exciting. Particularly for Herbert, the 27-year-old from Australia.

He took the first-round lead, a 9-under par 63, which was two shots lower than S.H Kim. Max Homa, the Cal guy who’s won the Fortinet the past two years, was at 70.

If some of those scores seem fanciful, well Silverado where there have been Tour events since the 1960s, while a fine country club layout, isn’t Augusta National or Royal Liverpool. The latter, also known as Hoylake, is where a frustrated Herbert played his last round prior to Thursday.

He actually was doing decently there in the first 16 holes. But on the remodeled par-3, the 17th, Herbert couldn’t get out of a bunker. He lost a ton of strokes, taking a triple-bogey, and his cool. Right then, his shoes in the sand, Herbert knew enough was enough.

“I went and spent some time around people where I wasn't the main focus of everyone's life for the day,” Herbert explained. “I was able to go and be a part of other people's lives, which is something we don't get to do as golfers. I feel like coming here this week I was ready to play again.”

His game reflected that idea. He had six birdies in succession, 12 through 17 which enabled him to shoot 33-30. He came in with 10 birdies and a bogey, that on the par-4 sixth.

Herbert said he wasn’t thinking about a score, just trying to build momentum, going for the pin, knocking in the putt, and recalling how enjoyable golf can be when everything is going well. Which it wasn’t in July.

“I didn’t think it was much when I came back, very low. The break was a chance for me to reset. I think I’d become a bitter and spiteful person. I didn’t like that version of myself, I look back at the Open Championship. I was wound up pretty tight and lashed out at people. I feel now I can be a better person.”

After a 9-under par return, he must believe he could similarly be a better golfer.