Southampton, Florida, Nov 1: Arjun Atwal finished the fourth and final round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship with a card of 71 that saw him finish T-71, just two places off the bottom. Yet, he was at the 18th greenside to greet the victor, Lucas Herbert, a friend and a frequent playing partner at Isleworth, Orlando, Florida.
India’s Anirban Lahiri had missed the cut earlier on as did Daniel Chopra. Indian-American Sahith Theegala shot 80 in the final round and was 74th. Kiradech Aphibarnrat (70) was T-34 as the best Asian.
The 25-year-old Australian Herbert, who at one time was 200th in the world and playing on the Asian Tour few years ago, won the 2020 Dubai Desert Classic, then added the Irish Open last year. He came through the Korn Ferry Tour finals and won on his 20th start on the PGA Tour.
He had two birdies on 12th and 14th during the tough back nine with the wind blowing at the Port Royal. He shot 2-under 69 to win the title. Herbert closed with four pars to hold off Danny Lee (71) and Patrick Reed, who finished with four birdies over his last six holes for a 65. He waited to see if it was enough, but it was not as Herbert held his nerve.
His first PGA TOUR victory, and third worldwide, sends him to the Masters for the first time.
Taylor Pendrith of Canada, who started the final round with a three-shot lead, failed to make a birdie in closing with a 76 to tie for fifth. Patrick Rodgers had a 70 and finished alone in fourth.
Atwal who is a member at Isleworth and who plays often with Herbert was full of praise for Herbert and said, “He is a great story and great guy.”
