ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP – The debrief 

It was a case of no practice, no problem for Lucas Herbert as the Australian claimed his third DP World Tour title with a dramatic play-off victory at the ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP in Japan.

Here is everything you need to know from the first co-sanctioned event with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation at PGM Ishioka GC.

Herbert edges out Cockerill in a play-off 

Lucas Herbert made a birdie at the second play-off hole to win his third DP World Tour title and deny Aaron Cockerill a breakthrough professional victory. The duo had finished the final round locked on 15 under par after Cockerill saved par with a stunning recovery from a greenside bunker on the 72nd hole. Herbert's three-under 67 featured an eagle, three birdies and two bogeys, while third-round leader Cockerill signed for a closing 68 which contained four birdies and two bogeys. Both players narrowly missed out on a birdie on their first trip back playing the 18th before Herbert made it third time lucky as he recovered from an errant tee shot to send his approach to around ten feet and roll in the putt for victory. Australian Herbert only arrived in Japan from playing last week on the PGA TOUR on Wednesday following travel issues and didn’t play a practice round but was left to celebrate his fourth professional title. “Obviously coming on board as an ambassador for ISPS Handa this year, it's great to win an event with them as the title sponsor,” he said. "It's a real honour. I think it's cool to be able to win everywhere and have a lot of good memories from all the spots in the world where you have played." The victory lifts Herbert to fourth on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and back inside the top 50 to 42nd on the Official World Golf Ranking.

Scottish depth in talent on show  

Calum Hill was limited to three appearances on the DP World Tour last season due to injury, but he carded a closing 65 to finish solo third on 14 under and register his best result since his victory at the Cazoo Classic in 2021. He wasn’t the only Scot though who impressed in Japan, as Grant Forrest was a shot further back in a tie for fourth, while Robert MacIntyre ended his week with a 64 to finish sixth. Either side of a five-week competitive break, it is a second consecutive top ten for the Ryder Cup hopeful and comes after adopting a new method of grading his attitude for every shot. David Law went into the final round in contention for the title but a closing 75 saw him settle for a share of 16th place, while Scott Jamieson also comfortably made the cut on his way to a tie for 35th.

Home hopes fly flag  

Players from around the world descended on PGM Ishioka as Japan became the 51st different country to host a DP World Tour event. The 144-strong field featured 43 flying the flag for Japanese golf, with a number impressing in front of home crowds. Hiroshi Iwata, a four-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour, finished as the leading home hope in fourth while DP World Tour member Takumi Kanaya was one of a further five players to finish in the top 20 on the leaderboard. As part of a recently announced partnership between the DP World Tour, PGA TOUR and JGTO, the top three players on the JGTO Order of Merit will earn membership onto the DP World Tour each season. With seven Japanese players holding DP World Tour membership this season, could we witness a fifth Japanese win in the coming weeks?

ISPS HANDA Eagle Pledge 

The ISPS HANDA - CHAMPIONSHIP strengthened the DP World Tour’s long-standing relationship with ISPS Handa, the organisation founded by Japanese philanthropist Dr Haruhisa Handa in the belief that sport has the power to inspire, transform, and unite people and communities across social, racial and socio-economic barriers. In advance of the tournament, ISPS Handa pledged to donate $1000 for every eagle during the week to the G4D Tour. Three eagles in the final round meant the tally reached $40,000 across the four rounds. ISPS Handa also supports the World Invitational presented by AVIV Clinics, which will stage a G4D Tour event for the second year running in August.

Lawlor highlights inclusivity in golf

Since turning professional in 2019, Brendan Lawlor has helped break down barriers for golfers with a disability. He made history by becoming the first to compete on the DP World Tour at the ISPS HANDA UK Championship in August 2020 and got his second taste last week in Japan. While he was unable to make the cut, the Irishman – ranked second in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability – has again played his part in showcasing the inclusive nature of golf and will soon be back in action at the inaugural G4D Open at Woburn next month.

Holing out from a bunker for fun

Max Kieffer said his short game performance during Thursday’s first round was the best of his career, with his hole out for a birdie from the par-three fourth one of the highlights.

Four-time Major winner Ernie Els was among those to also excel out of the sand as he made an unlikely eagle from a greenside bunker during a fine run of scoring late in the second round to make the cut.

No stopping Paul’s fine form

A near two-month break in competitive action since back-to-back runner-up finishes in India and Thailand proved no barrier to Yannik Paul continuing to impress. The German shot rounds of 67 and 65 over the weekend to finish in a share of sixth and climb to 11th on the Race to Dubai. The result also sees the 29-year-old back up to third on the European Points List – an automatic qualifying spot for this year’s Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.