Herman turns presidential advice into lead
Helped by President Donald Trump’s putting advice, Jim Herman had two eagles in a 10-under-par 62 to maintain a 1-stroke lead yesterday atn the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship.
Trump’s regular golf partner while working as an assistant professional at Trump National Bedminster in New Jersey, Herman changed to a conventional putting grip and clubhead at the president’s suggestion following a recent round.
“He gave me a good talking to and told me to use a different style if it’s not working,” Herman said Friday after shooting his second straight 65 to top the leaderboard. “Some great advice, so I appreciate it.”
Yesterday in Nicholasville, Ky., Herman made an 11-foot eagle at the par-5 eighth and a 10-footer on the par-5 15th. He also had six birdies to get to 24-under 192 at rain-softened Keene Trace.
Encouraged by Trump to pursue a playing career, the 41-year-old Herman won the 2016 Shell Houston Open for his lone tour title — a victory that followed a friendly round with Trump.
Kelly Kraft was second after a 61. He also eagled the 15th, holing a 65-footer.
Austin Cook (63) and Bill Haas (65) were 4 strokes back at 20-under.
David Toms, 2 shots back after a second-round 64, had a 73 to drop into a tie for 32nd at 11-under. The 52year-old Toms is making his third PGA start of the year.
The winner will receive a spot in the PGA Championship, but not in the Masters.
Team Clanton wins
Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura ran away with the LPGA’s Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational team tournament in Midland, Mich., shooting an 11-under 59 in best-ball play for a 6-stroke victory.
Clanton and Suwannapura took a 5-shot lead into the final round after shooting an alternate-shot 63 on Friday at Midland Country Club in the LPGA’s first-year event. They were at 27-under 253.
“It’s awesome,” Suwannapura said. “I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”
Suwannapura won her second tour title, and Clanton her first.
Clanton earned spots the next two weeks in the Evian Championship and Women’s British Open. The first Auburn University player to win on the tour, she began the season without a full LPGA Tour card after finishing $8 out of the top 100 on the 2018 money list.
Clanton has split time this year on the LPGA and developmental Symetra Tour, winning the Symetra Tour’s El Dorado Shootout in April.
“I couldn’t even dream up to have won a Symetra event earlier this year and then to come out and win with Jasmine,” Clanton said. “It’s so funny, this is the tournament that I wanted to come and play in. I was like, ‘Team event, I’m in, let’s go.’ So, I’m blessed for the opportunity, I’m blessed that Jasmine let me come play with her.”
Jin Young Ko and Minjee Lee
(58) finished second.
Summerhays No. 1
Preston Summerhays won the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship in Toledo, Ohio, beating Bo Jin of China 2 and 1 in the 36-hole final at Inverness Club.
“I don’t even know how to explain how it felt,” Summerhays said.
Summerhays, the 16-yearold from Scottsdale, Ariz., ended it with an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th.