Weekly Recap: Herman Wins Houston, Ticket to Augusta

Donald Trump. Perhaps you've heard of him. Been in the news. Says some pretty wild things. A decade ago, long before he became a Republican presidential candidate, Trump said something to an assistant pro at Trump National in New Jersey that seemed every bit as outlandish as some of his present-day comments.

"Got into a nice conversation with Donald, Mr. Trump, one day," the assistant pro recalled last year. "He's like, `Why are you folding shirts and giving lessons? Why aren't you on the Tour? I've played with Tour players, you're good enough.' "

The journey to the PGA Tour soon after took flight for the 20-something golfer, an Ohioan named Jim Herman, who could hit the ball a mile but not necessarily very straight. And he did, in fact, make the tour. But he did little to make a name for himself, unlike his bombastic former employer.

Until Sunday.

That's when a misty-eyed Herman, now 38, rose to the top of a star-studded leaderboard to win the Shell Houston Open by one stroke for his first career victory and, by extension, a dream invitation to his first Masters this week.

"Sorry for the tears, but I'm pretty happy," Herman said on NBC moments after his victorious tap-in for par on 18. "… Never thought it was possible."

Congratulations to @gohermie for winning the @ShellHouOpen. We are all proud of you @TNGCBedminster & all @TrumpGolf clubs! Great going!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2016

The co-overnight leader, Herman lost his advantage early on Sunday, but steadied himself and took the lead for good with a stirring chip-in birdie from the rough on the par-3 16th, leaving frequent bridesmaid Henrik Stenson in the runner-up position once again. Herman shot a closing 4-under 68 for a four-day total of 15-under 273, a stroke better than the world No. 6 from Sweden, who also shot 68 on Sunday.

No. 2 Jordan Spieth, No. 5 Rickie Fowler and No. 9 Dustin Johnson all spent time on the first page of the leaderboard on Sunday, but No. 191 Herman was the last man standing. He's now up to a career-best No. 68 in the world.

"He's been influential in getting me to the Tour," Herman said last March, when he recounted Trump's encouraging words. Now in his fifth season on Tour, the Cincinnati native still wears a Trump logo on his shirts.

Since his rookie 2011 season (he lost his card for 2012), Herman has only five career top-10s, including his win, and had only one prior top-5, last year in New Orleans.

Last season had been Herman's best, with eight top-25s, $1.2 million in earnings and a 74th-place finish in the point standings. He was ninth in total driving and second in greens in regulation, but 118th in strokes gained: putting.

For one week, at least, his putter did enough to support the rest of his game.

My point is, every player out here is extremely good.It isn't luck or unfathomable playing,everybody is capable to have a great week and win

— Jason Dufner (@JasonDufner) April 3, 2016

Of course, don't expect much from Herman this week at Augusta. Besides being a Masters rookie, the past four days have changed his life forever. It's a lot to calm down from. All he's accomplished, it's something he traces back, at least in part, to that conversation with Trump.

"I don't know, maybe something like that gives you more confidence," he told reporters in Houston. "It's nice playing out here. I definitely enjoy it better than the golf shop."

MONDAY TAKEAWAY

Henrik Stenson

Stenson has had more seconds than Charles Barkley at an all-you-can-eat buffet. (Bada-bing, bada-boom, I'll be here all week!) Since his last win, at the DP World Tour championship in Dubai at the end of 2014, Stenson has eight worldwide runners-up. He also was third in his prior outing three weeks ago at Bay Hill. Stenson's putting usually holds him back, but he sank 16- and 11-footers for birdies on the back nine on Sunday. As for next week, for all his greatness tee-to-green, Stenson never has had a top 10 at Augusta.

Dustin Johnson

Four birdies on the back nine during a final-round 69 isn't too shabby. But Johnson no doubt will remember finding the water on his approach to the par-4 11th, resulting in double bogey. He finished two strokes behind Herman. Johnson was sixth last year at the Masters and could contend if he avoids bonehead mistakes. Unfortunately, like on Sunday in Houston, he always seems to make one, or more, at the most inopportune time.

Rafa Cabrera Bello

Cabrera Bello was a late addition to the Match Play two weeks ago and finished third, which got him into the Masters. He then followed it up with solo fourth in Houston. So the Spaniard surely is on top of his game. But this will be his first Masters, and making the cut would constitute a good effort.

Russell Henley

Amid perhaps the worst stretch of his career, Henley came alive this past week, and a fast start on Sunday put him all alone in front. But three bogeys on the back, opposite just one birdie, did him in as he attempted to reach Augusta. Still, after missing five straight cuts, a T5 has to feel awfully good for Henley, and should give him confidence going forward.

Chez Reavie

Reavie continues as one of the big surprises of the season, tying for seventh in Houston. That's his fifth straight made cut, two of which were top-10s. He hadn't had one of those since 2011. Reavie remains undervalued pretty much everywhere, but if he continues playing well, he can't stay that way for long. Take note.

Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, Charl Schwartzel

Reed and Fowler tied for 10th, six shots back, while the other three tied for 13th, another stroke behind. So, in a sense, all five of these top-20 golfers had good tournaments in advance of Augusta. But for Spieth, it was another mixed bag. After birdieing five of the first seven holes on Sunday to climb into the top five and put a scare up and down the leaderboard, he bogeyed three times in a four-hole span to end his chances. And that was before rinsing his approach on 18 for a closing double. Likewise, Fowler had three back-nine bogeys on Sunday. But all in all, these five are largely on form, and all are on most everyone's short list entering the Masters.

Steve Marino, Tony Finau, Louis Oosthuizen

These three all had great results two weeks ago, but couldn't keep it up, showing that being on form counts for only so much -- and that's what makes it so hard for gamers to pick winners, or even contenders. Oosthuizen, who was runner-up to Jason Day at the WGC-Dell Match Play, and Finau, who won the opposite-field Puerto Rico Open, both missed the cut in Houston. Marino, who lost to Finau in a playoff, was an MDF. Oosthuizen now heads to the Masters, and playing only two rounds may not be such a bad thing for the No. 11-ranked South African.

Jamie Lovemark

Lovemark is amid by far his best season, 28th in the point standings. But he left Houston with a rotten feeling, turning a share of the 54-hole lead with Herman into solo 18th after cratering with a 76 – his worst final round in six months. Lovemark's bid to reach the Masters fell well short, but he should stay on your radar.

Charley Hoffman

Hoffman has circulated as a popular sleeper pick for Augusta, having finished ninth there last year. But despite playing well for two rounds in Houston, his 74-76 weekend is more the norm for him this season. Hoffman doesn't have a single top-10. While playing well entering the Masters doesn't guarantee success, playing poorly all but ensures a quick week. Golfers do not find their game on Magnolia Lane.