Herbert has second Japanese title in his sights as he prepares for action on The International Series

Chiba, Japan - Ripper GC's Lucas Herbert has been in red-hot form this season, and the Australian is hoping he can continue that trend and claim a second career win in Japan as The International Series makes its debut in the country this week.

The 29-year-old is part of a strong field at International Series Japan presented by Moutai that features a mix of LIV Golf League, Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour stars set to compete at the Caledonian Golf Club in the third of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour.

Herbert brings fond memories of the Caledonian Golf Club, having played the course in 2017. His overall memories of Japan are just as positive, after winning the co-sanctioned ISPS Handa Championship on a play-off in 2023 - one of five high-profile victories across the PGA Tour and DP World Tour before securing a move to the all-Australian Ripper GC team on LIV Golf.

Herbert has shown his pedigree this year with a T2 in Mexico, a fourth place in Hong Kong and a T4 in Riyadh on LIV Golf duty this season.

“Obviously, I had a win here in Japan, and coming back to a place you have won will always create good memories," Herbert said. "And knowing the golf course is also a big reason why I'm here. I remember playing here eight years ago and have very fond memories from playing here.

"It was a treat to see it come up on the schedule, and a pretty easy decision - I love coming here and have been here many times. It's always fantastic food, great golf courses and fans, too.”

Herbert has performed well in different conditions over the course of the season – six of his seven results have been top 20, and he is currently fifth in the LIV Golf League standings. So how important is it for the Australian to play different conditions and take a global outlook?

"It is very important to play on The International Series schedule, and on the Asian Tour. It was where we played a lot of our golf coming through at the beginning of our career, so it was nice to come back and see some of the same places and the same faces, throughout the Asian Tour and some of the venues we go to.

"It is important to play different conditions, different types of golf courses, and also to take the game to different parts of the world, which is what we have started doing as LIV Golf players. It is great to be able to do it in Japan.”

Herbert last played the Caledonian Golf Club course in 2017 when he finished T26 at the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup. With this experience in mind, Herbert is looking forward to a real test and a 'different style of golf.'

Talking about the course as well as golf in Japan generally, he said: “I think the combination of everything, the types of grass and the way the course gets set up, the greens and everything, is pretty unique. But I think it's great. It's a different style of golf course.

“I don't think I'll hit a lot of drivers this week, but you know, it's something that I've experienced now for close to 10 years, whenever I have come over here to Japan. I think from memory of eight years ago, I think I hit four drivers in the round. I think if you can play well here and win here, it feels like another string to your bow. To be able to win playing this style of golf is great, because it is a little different to what we're used to. It is always a fun test."

International Series Japan presented by Moutai runs from May 8-11 at Caledonian Golf Club, Chiba.

(Photo courtesy of Graham Uden/Asia Tour)