Lucas Herbert has moved to the top of The International Series Rankings and the Asian Tour Order of Merit following his stunning five-shot victory at the International Series Japan presented by Moutai at the weekend.

The Australian, who plays for Ripper GC on LIV Golf, led from the start after a course record-equalling nine-under-par 62 on Thursday at Caledonian Golf Club, and although he was five adrift with three to play on Saturday, he roared to victory thanks to two eagles in his closing three holes which got him a three-way share of the lead going into the final day.

A closing 64 was enough to see off nearest challengers Yuta Sigiura of Japan and Younghan Song of Korea, and the dominant display underlined Herbert’s rich vein of good form this season that has already generated three top-five finishes and three top-20 results in seven LIV Golf League events.

“The strength of the field was very good. I have played in Japan a few times over the years, and the field strength is always good,” said Herbert, who is becoming something of a specialist in the Land of the Rising Sun as his last tournament win was also there, at the ISPS Handa Championship in 2023.

“It’s tricky. It feels like I am playing an away game against these guys on their home turf. Their games are all structured and built to play really well in Japanese courses. So it is tough to beat them at their own game at times.

Lucas Herbert gets the biggest of hugs from his caddie, Nick Pugh. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

“That’s why the two wins I have had in Japan have felt quite special, because it feels like winning an away game like in other sports when you are beating these guys on their home venues, against home crowds too.”

Herbert shot up 20 positions to pole on the rankings thanks to the 180 points earned, and he leads the International Series Macau presented by Wynn winner Carlos Ortiz of Mexico and International Series India presented by DLF champion Ollie Schniederjans by 22.95 points, with Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed tied fourth, a further 70 points behind.

He shares the Merit list lead with Ortiz and Schniederjans.

American Schniederjans missed both the Macau and Japan dates because of injury, and will be hoping for a return in time for International Series Morocco from 3-6 July.

The winner of The International Series Rankings earns a place on the ensuing season’s LIV Golf League – a lifechanging opportunity on the groundbreaking franchise.