The Province

Non-winners share lead in Houston

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HOUSTON — Jim Herman and Jamie Lovemark, two players who have never won a PGA Tour event or played in the Masters, shared the lead going into the final round of the Houston Open.

A win Sunday and they get to tee off at Augusta National this week.

The 38-year-old Herman shot a 5-under 67 Saturday to position himself for a breakthrou­gh.

“There’s a lot to play for (Sunday),” said the pro from Cincinnati, whose best finish this season has been a 10thplace tie. “I had a couple of good par saves, especially on the last hole. I’m committed to going to the first tee (Sunday) and hitting that first fairway. I’ve got to try to not put any extra pressure on myself.”

Lovemark, 28 and a former NCAA champion at USC whose profession­al career was derailed by major back surgery, wasn’t able to build on his fast start, in which he birdied three of the first four holes. He stayed in the hunt with a 70 after opening rounds of 67 and 68.

“My confidence is good,” Lovemark said. “I’ve got to keep doing what I’ve been doing. It’s going to be a tough battle (Sunday).”

Graham DaLaet of Weyburn, Sask., shot an even par72 to fall seven spots down the leaderboar­d into a tie for 19th place. Nick Taylor (71) of Abbotsford and David Hearn (72) of Brantford, Ont., are in an eight-way tie for 29th place.

Herman and Love mark were at 11-under par through 54 holes and just a stroke ahead of Henrik Stenson, Dustin Johnson and Russell Hensley. The Swede Stenson, No. 7 in the current world ranking, posted the day’s best round with a 66 after also birdieing three of the first four holes. Henley had a 68 Saturday and Johnson a 70.

The two players ahead of Stenson in the world ranking, No. 2 Jordan Spieth and No. 5 Rickie Fowler, remained in contention at 6-under and 7-under, respective­ly, after both carded 70s.

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