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P. 19
SPORTS A19
Monday 4 April 2016
Herman wins
Houston Open to
get into the Masters
HUMBLE, Texas (AP) — Jim the Masters, and Herman
Herman delivered a mas- might be the most unlikely
terful performance at just candidate.
the right time Sunday in the Ten years ago, Herman was
Shell Houston Open. working as an assistant pro
Herman, winless in 105 at Trump Bedminster in New
previous starts on the PGA
Tour, chipped in for birdie Jim Herman kisses the winner’s
on the par-3 16th and fin- trophy after winning the Houston
ished with two solid pars for Open golf tournament, Sunday,
a 4-under 68 and a one- April 3, 2016, in Humble, Texas.
shot victory that sends him
to the Masters for the first Associated Press
time in his career.
Herman tapped in for par Jersey when he played
and thrust both fists in the one day with course owner
air after his one-shot victory and GOP frontrunner Don-
over Henrik Stenson. ald Trump, who wanted to
“Sorry for the tears, but I’m know why he was folding
pretty happy,” Herman shirts instead of compet-
said in his TV interview. “We ing against the best. Trump
really did a good job keep- encouraged him to give it
ing our game plan. We another shot, and Herman
wanted to give ourselves eventually made it out to
as many birdie chances as the PGA Tour.
we could and keep it low This is his fifth full season
stress. And geez, look what in the big leagues, and
happened. Never thought he still wears “Trump” on
it was possible.” his golf shirts. Within the
The Houston Open was the past month, Herman has
final opportunity for play- changed from block letters
ers to get into the Masters, of “Trump” to a logo from
and Herman seemed like a Trump’s course.
long shot at No. 191 in the He was artful in closing the
world whose only profes- deal at the Golf Club of
sional victory was six years Houston.
ago at the Moonah Classic Herman and Jamie Love-
in Australia. mark were tied for the
Stenson missed an 18- lead going into the final
foot birdie putt on the last round. Lovemark was 4
hole for a 68 to finish one over through six holes and
shot behind. It was the was never a factor. Her-
Swede’s eighth runner-up man hung around during
finish since his last victory in Spieth’s early charge, and
Dubai at the end of 2014. even after Stenson took
Dustin Johnson tried to the lead.
overcome a double bogey Stenson fell back with a
on the 11th hole. He made bogey from the bunker on
three birdies coming in, but the 14th hole, only to get
had to settle for a 69 and that stroke back on the
was two shots back. par-5 15th.
Jordan Spieth made four Herman, however, never
straight birdies early in his flinched. Tied for the lead,
round, but two shots into he missed the green to the
the water led to double left on the 16th and was in
bogeys and a 70. He was thick grass near the bun-
seven back in a tie for 13th. ker. His chip came out per-
It was the third time since fectly and dropped for a
2008 that a player won the surprising birdie and a one-
Houston Open to get into shot lead, and he held it.
