Starting strong

Ex-asst. Trump-club pro in hunt

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A week ago, Jim Herman was playing golf with President Donald Trump at Trump National Golf Club at Bedminster, where Herman used to be an assistant pro.

On Thursday at Quail Hollow, Herman found himself leading the opening round of the PGA Championship at 4under with two holes to play before bogeying Nos. 17 and 18 to finish with a 2-under 69.

“Little disappointed with the finish,’’ Herman said. “I know it’s a difficult finish. I made a great save on 16 to save par there. I didn’t hit a bad shot on the two holes I made bogey, so I could feel good about [that]. I still did not get up-and-down on either.

“So I feel really confident. I feel like I drove the ball really well. I think that’s a good weapon for me here. … [This is] probably my best start in any major.’’

Grayson Murray, who won his first PGA Tour event two weeks ago at the Barbasol Championship, is one shot out of the lead after shooting a 3-under 68 in his first PGA Championship.

“Honestly, that win took a lot of nerves off,’’ Murray said. “I’m freewheeling it now. I’m not going to put any pressure on myself now. I know I have the game to win. It’s just a matter of putting together four rounds because that’s what it takes when you play in the majors. You can’t have one [bad] round or you will drop way down.

“All the world-class players are here, so I’ll have to play my A-plus game probably right now to win where some guys may be able to play their B-plus and win. Hopefully I’ll be at that stage of my career soon.

“Getting that first win was huge confidence-wise,’’ Murray added. “I can’t say how hard it is to win out here. … Right now, I’m just trying to get that second [win].’’

Murray is from Raleigh, N.C., which is a two-and-ahalf-hour drive from Charlotte, and still lives there.

“It was nice to have a lot of friends and family out there supporting me,’’ he said. “You hear, ‘Go Grayson, let’s go.’ It’s good motivation for me. I feel like it’s a home game.’’

None of the three Metarea club pros had very memorable rounds.

Matt Dobyns, the head pro at Fresh Meadow on Long Island who’s playing in his third career PGA and fourth major, shot a 5-over 76. Alex Beach, an assistant at Baltusrol who’s playing in his first major, shot 79. And

Adam Rainaud, a first-year assistant at Winged Foot, who was playing in the morning wave, shot 81.