Journeyman Jim Herman claimed the first victory of his PGA Tour career in his 106th start, closing with a 4-under-par 68 to win by one stroke over Henrik Stenson of Sweden in the Shell Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston in Humble, Texas.
The 38-year-old Herman, No. 191 in the World Golf Rankings, chipped in from 40 feet for a go-head birdie on the 16th hole and added clutch par putts on the last two holes. His only previous victory as a pro came in the 2011 Moonah Classic on what is now the Web.com Tour.
“I never thought it was possible,” Herman said of earning his first appearance in the Masters beginning on Thursday at Augusta National, where he will make his fourth start in a major championship, having played in the U.S. Open in 2010, 2012 and 2013.
“Had a pretty good game plan. Hit a lot of 3-woods, kept it low-stress, gave myself a lot of birdie chances. I’m pretty happy.”
Stenson, who finished second for the eighth time on both major tours since his last victory in the 2014 DP World Tour Championship-Dubai, missed an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole and also shot 68.
Dustin Johnson finished two shots back in third after a 70 that included a costly double bogey-6 on the 11th hole, where he hit his second shot into the water, and Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain was another stroke back in fourth after a bogey-free 65 that included a five-foot eagle putt on the 12th hole.
Daniel Berger, 2015 Rookie of the Year on the PGA Tour, carded five birdies in six holes on the back nine in a 66 and was four shots back in a tie for fifth with Russell Henley, who finished at 71.
Charles Howell III closed with a 68 and was five strokes down in a tie for seventh with Chez Reavie and Kyle Reifers, who both had 70s.
Rickie Fowler of Murrieta recorded a third straight 70, stumbling with three bogeys on the back nine, and was another shot back in a tie for 10th with Patrick Reed, who also had a 70, and Sean O’Hair, who came in at 69.
Second-ranked Jordan Spieth totaled 70 and finished in a tie for 13th that included Phil Mickelson, who carded a 69, and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, who shot 69.
Jamie Lovemark of USC and Rancho Santa Fe, who was tied with Herman for the 54-hole lead, stumbled to a 76 with only one birdie and tied for 18th..
