Lucas Herbert shot a bogey-free 9-under 63 on Friday at Trump National and opened a six-shot lead going into the weekend at Liv Golf Virginia.
Herbert, who was 17-under 127 after Friday's round, said he lost track of his score for most of the day. Sergio García, who shot 67, was the closest player to him. Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau each shot 70 and were 12 shots behind.
It was the kind of round Herbert needed after beginning the week feeling ill and not seeing the front nine until the opening round on Thursday. He shot 64 on Thursday, then followed with the lowest round of the day Friday to put himself in position for his first LIV Golf win in his third season.
Herbert has won on the PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour over the last two years, but he has yet to break through on LIV. He said he came into the week with very low expectations and planned to stick to that approach, while also making golf swings he has not felt able to make for 12 months.
The tension now sits in the weekend chase. Rahm and DeChambeau were both two-time winners on LIV this year, and García remains within sight if Herbert gives anything back. For Herbert, the task is simple and demanding at the same time: hold the lead, trust the swing and turn a fast start at Liv Golf Virginia into the win that has so far eluded him.
