Herman clutch at Barbasol Championship
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. — From President Donald Trump’s putting advice to playing partner Kelly Kraft’s two late bogeys, Jim Herman got the help he needed to win the Barbasol Championship on Sunday for his second PGA Tour title.
Then he executed when he had to as well, closing out a onestroke victory.
“Really proud of how I can step up on that 18th tee when everything’s on the line and hit the fairway and hit the green and get out of there,” Herman said.
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 after a recent round. Encouraged by Trump more than a decade ago to pursue a playing career, Herman won the 2016 Shell Houston Open for his first PGA Tour title — a victory that also followed a friendly round with Trump.
“I think I need to see him again soon,” the 41-year-old Herman said on the 18th green at Keene Trace Golf Club after his winning tap-in for par. “He motivates me and puts me in a good spot.”
Herman shot a 2-under-par 70 in a final round interrupted for more than three hours because of a thunderstorm with the leaders on the seventh hole. His putting cooled off after sizzling the first three days, when he opened with back-to-back 65s before posting a third-round 62.
“Today was just hanging on,” Herman said. “Kelly and I couldn’t find what we had on Saturday…. I was just able to hang on. Kelly played great obviously all week, but I came out on top.”
Kraft was a shot ahead with three holes to play, but he bogeyed the par-3 16th and par-4 17th. He followed a thirdround 61 with a 70 to squander a chance for his first tour victory.
“I just didn’t have my best stuff today, but I had it going there — made a couple birdies, 14, 15,” Kraft said. “I just gave it to him coming down the stretch, that’s basically all there is to it.”
Herman parred the last three holes to finish at a tournament-record 26-under 262.
Austria’s Sepp Straka, a former University of Georgia golfer, closed with a 66 to finish a career-best third at 23 under, a stroke ahead of Austin Cook (70) and Matt Jones (63).
Stephan Jaeger, a former Baylor School and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga standout, closed with a 69 and shared 22nd at 16 under. Harris English (68), who prepped at Baylor before going on to Georgia, tied for 29th at 14 under.
Herman earned a two-year tour exemption and a spot in the PGA Championship. He played the last two weeks on past champion status and thought he was headed down to the developmental Korn Ferry Tour.
The former University of Cincinnati player had many family members and friends on hand Sunday.
“I’ve never really had a problem with Kentucky, but they beat us in basketball a bunch,” Herman said. “It’s great to win here so close to home. Winning in Houston, didn’t have many people around.”
He was looking forward to hearing from his golf buddy in the White House, too.
“I’m sure I’ll be receiving some kind of message,” Herman said. “That was very unexpected to hear from him directly on Friday night. I got a phone call from him wishing me on for the weekend and congratulating me on my first two rounds. It’s pretty amazing I’ve had this relationship with him. I’m very fortunate I get to play a little golf with him.”