Thursday, 29 November 2018:

LUCAS HERBERT of Australia plays a shot during the ISPS Handa New Zealand Golf Open at The Hills Golf Club in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Lucas Herbert is almost ready to reflect on a career-defining year that saw him impress potential Presidents Cup captain Ernie Els and play a round with Tiger Woods.

But, despite shooting from No.278 to 83 in the world this year, an elusive victory will keep him from distraction this week on the Gold Coast.

One of Australian golf's generation next, Herbert turned a series of sponsor invitations on the European Tour this year into a full card for 2019.

The 22-year-old had such a rise that he forced his way onto the Greg Norman Medal shortlist and will be among the fancies when the Australian PGA Championship begins at Royal Pines on Thursday.

His talent was not lost on Els during their pairing in Fiji this year while his confidence showed in securing a British Open practice round with Woods in July.

Now back in Australia, the Bendigo product wants to follow in Norman's footsteps and make his mark on home soil.

"He always said he always wanted to come back to Australia and be seen as a winner in Australia," he said.

"That resonated with me a lot. I would love to come back here and win our events if I'm going to have the career that I hope to have.

"To kick it off here (with a maiden win) on the Gold Coast would be great."

Herbert will enjoy the $1.5 million tournament either way, given its introduction of a beach party hole on the par-3 16th.

"Sometimes I think as golfers we need to just relax, chill out a little bit and maybe not let that drunk guy in the background yelling out affect us too much," he said of the expected rowdiness.

"Those guys are all here enjoying it and in a lot of ways allowing us to play for the money and on the venues, on the tours that we do."

Royal Pines will be a sea of yellow on Thursday to honour the late Jarrod Lyle, who also grew up in regional Victoria and was a close friend of a younger Herbert.

Herbert will auction off the yellow golf bag he uses during the tournament to raise money for Lyle's young family.

AAP