Lucas Herbert was proud of himself after running Rory McIlroy close before bowing out at the last-16 stage of the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
The Australian forced World Number Three McIlroy to work extremely hard for his two-hole victory in a high-quality match on Saturday, with the Northern Irishman making a total of nine birdies.
McIlroy never trailed in the contest but was unable to relax, with Herbert playing some tremendous golf to keep the pressure on his opponent.
The 27-year-old looked set to level the match at the 17th after he drained a monster birdie putt from the edge of the green, but McIlroy then holed his clutch seven-foot putt to stay one ahead with one hole to play.
And a remarkable tee-shot at the last helped McIlroy increase his winning margin to two holes.
Herbert was proud of his performance against a player he feels is the best in the world.
He said: "I got beaten by the best player in the world probably playing the best golf of anyone.
"I've got nothing but just pride for the way I played. Pushed him all the way to the end. I just didn't feel like there was a lot more I could have done. I played really, really nicely.
"Played nicely for four days in a row, so it's frustrating to finish the tournament here. Just really proud of myself.
"If I can keep playing like that we're going to have a lot of good weeks in the future.
"A lot to take away from it."
