Herman up by 1
Helped by President Donald Trump’s putting advice, Jim Herman had two eagles in a 10-under 62 to maintain a one-stroke lead Saturday in the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship at Nicholasville, Ky. 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. Herman made an 11-foot eagle putt on 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, Herman, 41, won the 2016 Houston Open for his lone tour title — a victory that followed a friendly round with Trump. Kelly Kraft was second after a 61.
Clanton, Suwannapura win
Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura ran away with the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational at Midland, Mich., on Saturday, shooting an 11-under 59 in bestball play for a six-stroke victory. Clanton and Suwannapura took a five-shot lead into the final round after shooting an alternate-shot 63 on Friday at Midland Country Club in the LPGA Tour’s first-year team event. Suwannapura won her second tour title, and Clanton her first. They finished at 27-under 253. Clanton earned spots the next two weeks in the Evian Championship and Women’s British Open. Jin Young Ko and Minjee Lee closed with a 58 to finish second. Sisters Ariya Jutanugarn and Moriya Jutanugarn tied for third with Na Yeon Choi and Jenny Shin at 20 under. They each shot 61.
Ventura leads in Omaha
Kristoffer Ventura shot a 4-under 67 on Saturday to take a 1-stroke lead into the final day of the Korn Ferry Tour’s Pinnacle Bank Championship at Omaha, Neb. He had four birdies on the first nine holes and two birdies and back-to-back bogeys (on Nos. 12 and 13) on the second nine. He was at 15-under 198, one shot better than Lanto Griffin (64). Tyson Alexander (70) was third at 11 under. Byron Meth (69), who led earlier in the week, was tied for fourth at 10 under. Ethan Tracy (Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a 69 and was tied for 9th at 6-under 207. Taylor Moore (Razorbacks) was tied for 24th at 4 under after a 71.