Australian gun Lucas Herbert says rival teams envy what Ripper GC have going

Trash talking isn’t big in golf, but the advent of LIV Golf’s team component has opened the door to some sledging from the All-Australian outfit.

Adelaide champions, LIV team champions and now the envy of the league.

That’s where the All-Australian Ripper GC outfit sit ahead of their title defence at The Grange this week according to Lucas Herbert, who went as far as suggesting their rivals were even “jealous” of what the quarter led by Cam Smith had going on.

Herbert’s addition to the team, with Marc Leishman and Matt Jones, for the 2024 season proved pivotal in wins in Adelaide, in the first-ever team playoff, as well the next event in Hong Kong and then the season-ending team championship.

The victories helped add nearly $30m to Ripper GC’s prizemoney haul and while it put a target on their back, Herbert said it also created envy among their rivals, such is the mateship the four Aussies enjoy on and off the course.

“If you are going to win the world championship, you are going to get hunted,” Herbert said, with Smith chuckling at his elevation of the team title to the lofty status of a world championship.

“It’s a position we want to be in.

LIV Golf team champions Matt Jones, Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman and Lucas Herbert. Picture: Chris Trotman/LIV Golf

“The vibe we’re getting is a lot of teams are jealous of the camaraderie among our crew. We are pretty good mates and have a lot of fun out here.

“On and off the golf course a lot of the other teams are pretty interested in what we are doing.”

The Aussies took the tradition of a season-ending Mad Monday to the US as well, a blowout at Smith’s Florida pad, something the other 12 teams, many having chopped and changed for the 2025 season, didn’t enjoy.

There was also a Ripper GC pre-season camp that included some highly competitive practice and the chance for the Aussies to some “knock the rust off” before the opening event in Riyadh last week.

The Aussie team finished second to start the season, Herbert topping the individual Aussie contingent, finishing in a tie for fourth, with Leishman tied for sixth, all a nice warm-up for Adelaide.

A quality start to the season at #LIVGolfRiyadh 💪

Let's head to ADELAIDE ✈️#RipperGCpic.twitter.com/u6UEXvWDUq

— Ripper GC (@rippergc_) February 8, 2025

It was back-to-back rounds of 65 from Herbert, including on Sunday last year, that helped push Ripper GC into the playoff, and Smith, who with Leishman helped secure the title, said the 29-year-old, a winner on the PGA Tour and Europe before making his LIV move, was the “perfect addition” in more ways than one.

“He’s got one of those traits where whenever his back is against the wall, he manages to pull something out,” Smith said.

“And you know, when you’re on the same team as that guy, and you know you can rely on that, it definitely is nice knowing that you know he’s going to show up and you don’t really need to worry about him.

“It’s a great trait to have, and I’m very happy that he has it.”

Herby is RED HOT 🔥

He moves to 8-under on the day and -11 for the tournament!

Watch #LIVGolfRiyadh on FS2 📺 pic.twitter.com/0t2CS7mhtG

— Ripper GC (@rippergc_) February 7, 2025

Herbert is also good when it comes to celebrating, a factor that has added to the team vibe others are trying to match.

“I feel like he’s got a very big personality, whereas the other three of us are kind of back a little bit,” Smith said.

“Then we have a few beers, and then we are rolling with it around, but he’s just like that all the time.

“He loves to have a great time. He’s been the perfect addition to our team on and off the golf course. It has worked out far better than we could all imagine.”

Originally published as Australian gun Lucas Herbert says rival teams envy what Ripper GC have going