Mates jostle as Aussie sets sights on US Masters return

Australian golfer and world No.57 Lucas Herbert is eyeing a slight bump in his ranking to help him secure a return to the Masters at Augusta next year.

LUCAS HERBERT.
LUCAS HERBERT. Picture: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Lucas Herbert's mates are clearing their calendars in April as the world No.57 guns for the strong finish to the year he needs to secure an Augusta return.

The Australian will qualify for his second US Masters if he sneaks inside the top 50 by the end of the year.

Herbert would also earn a berth by holding a top-50 ranking the week before the tournament begins on April 11, or by winning his second PGA Tour event.

"Amongst my mates it's a big raffle-off as to who can get any of my tickets if I do make it," Herbert said.

"I spent 12 months after the event telling (Augusta) stories.

"There's so many traditions - rumours, myths, urban legends - that get around there that make the place so special.

"It's one of my biggest goals towards the end of the year, to get into the top 50 in the world so I can get back there."

The 27-year-old missed the cut in his 2022 debut, but admits he would take that result again.

"It's probably the one tournament for the year I'm literally just happy participating," he said.

"Any other major or event, I'm there solely to win.

"But Augusta ... there's just something special about the place, whether you are top 10 ... or finish dead last."

Herbert has made 10 of 16 cuts, with one top-10 and three top-25 finishes, on the PGA Tour this year.

He also won a third DP World Tour event in a playoff in Japan in April, and sits 25th in the Race to Dubai.

Herbert retired injured during the second round of the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane last year and is motivated to bring his best form home for the PGA-Australian Open double.

"I've got a few different schedules running ... and I want to come home at the end of the year and play well in our events," he said.

"I haven't played to my ability in the Aussie events over the last few years."