Herman wins maiden PGA title in Houston
Jim Herman claimed his first PGA Tour title after surviving a final-round challenge from Henrik Stenson at the Houston Open.
Herman, who had never tasted success in 105 prior PGA events, shot a four-under 68 to finish one stroke clear of Stenson on 15-under.
The world number 191 was the joint overnight leader with Jamie Lovemark when he began his round, and got off to a solid start by posting two birdies in his opening four holes.
However, Stenson quickly emerged as a contender, briefly taking the outright lead with a birdie at the tenth before going toe-to-toe with Herman down the back nine.
It was Herman who struck the decisive blow, though, producing a chip-in birdy from off the 16th green to move ahead and then posting pars over the final two holes to secure victory.
“Never thought it was possible," admitted Herman, who has now qualified for next month’s Masters.
“My caddie, Matt, he was right there for me all day. We had a good game plan.
"Sorry for the tears but I’m pretty happy. Matt and I, we really did a good job keeping our game plan.
"We hit a lot of 3-woods, I’m sure you everyone was wondering about that but, you know, we wanted to give ourselves as many birdie chances as we could and keep it low stress and, jeeze, look what happened."
Dustin Johnson finished third, two strokes back after a closing 69, while Rafa Cabrera Bello climbed to fifth after a final round 65. World number two Jordan Spieth will head into the defence of his Masters title on the back of finishing in a tie for 13th.
Latest
-
NewsMatt Wallace out to show Padraig Harrington his desire to make Ryder Cup team
Wallace was overlooked for a wild card in 2018 despite winning for the third time in 15 starts.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa to reassess his goals after winning The Open at first attempt
The 24-year-old American has already won two majors.
-
NewsThe Open day four: Halfway to a career grand slam two years after turning pro
Collin Morikawa has added the Open to the US PGA, both of them won on tournament debut.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa eager to savour taste of success after debut Open triumph
The American became only the second person after Tiger Woods to win the Open and US PGA before the age of 25.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa admits magnitude of historic Open victory is ‘hard to take in’
The 24-year-old is the first player to win two different majors at their first attempt.
-
NewsThe Open day four: Collin Morikawa holds off the challenge of Jordan Spieth
The American held his nerve to create history in the 149th Open at a sun-drenched Royal St George’s.
-
NewsJordan Spieth rues a couple of ‘dumb mistakes’ which cost him a shot at title
The 2017 Open champion finished runner-up to Collin Morikawa.
-
News5 things you may not know about Open winner Collin Morikawa
The American came close to equalling one of Tiger Woods’ records.
-
NewsAmerican Collin Morikawa seals thrilling two-shot victory on Open debut
The 2020 US PGA champion held his nerve superbly on the closing stretch to become the first player to win two different majors at their first attempt.