PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — There were a number of moments during play Sunday at the Honda Classic when little-known Jim Herman had to be thinking to himself: “This is everything I’ve been working for all these years.’’
Herman, the 37-year-old PGA Tour journeyman who was Donald Trump’s assistant pro at Trump Bedminster in New Jersey from 2006 to 2007, was paired with Phil Mickelson in both the third and fourth rounds and he represented himself well.
Herman, who got into the field this week as an alternate when a player withdrew, enters Monday’s completion of play tied for 10th at 2-under par. His best career finish on the PGA Tour was a tie for 9th.
A strong finish, a Top-10 or Top-5, would greatly enhance his status in terms of getting into tournaments, because Herman, a Web.com graduate, has only conditional status on the PGA Tour, limiting his entries into events.
The native of Cincinnati got to 4-under par with a birdie on the par-3 15th hole in his third round and, as he walked off the 16th tee, a fan in the gallery yelled to him: “Come on, Jimmy, you’re the real MVP this week. You’re the guy we’re here to watch.’’
Herman gave two crucial shots back on the par-3 17th hole when his tee shot ended up badly plugged in the back bunker, leaving himself with an impossible down-hill stance shot with a lake behind the pin. Herman left the first attempt on the bunker, splashed out his second and missed the six-foot bogey putt to drop to 2-under.
When the lie was mentioned to him as he walked off 18 after the round, Herman offered no excuses, saying, “Here’s the thing, though: don’t hit it there.’’
Patrick Reed’s third-round 70 marked his 21st consecutive round of par or better, the longest such streak on the PGA Tour. Reed is chasing his fifth career win in his last 39 starts.
Brendan Steele, in contention entering Monday’s final-round conclusion at 4-under par, has been staying at his close friend Keegan Bradley’s home in nearby Jupiter. Bradley missed the cut.
Lukus Harvey, the director of agronomy at PGA National, called the damage the weather did with four inches of rain and 60-mile-per-hour wind gusts on Saturday “devastating to the golf course.’’
Harvey said 20 superintendents worked overnight to help pump out water and fix bunkers.
“It was an interesting night when the water level gets that high [because] the gators and snakes kind of roam free,’’ he said. “We had to chase a gator out of three fairway bunkers so we could pump it, and a couple moccasins were in the way; so makes for an interesting night.’’
Harvey said his superintendent, Andrew Fike, led 78 workers, many of whom came from area clubs and volunteered their services, pumping out water Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Harvey estimated the damage cost “easily six figures, about $120,000.’’
Funny comments overheard from a couple of marshals assigned to Mickelson’s group after Mickelson was forced to lay up on the 16th hole after driving into a bunker:
Marshal No. 1: “Oh Phil, you break my heart. You put yourself in so much trouble for no reason. I don’t understand Phil.’’
Marshal No. 2: “I don’t think Phil understands Phil.’’
Mickelson ended up saving par with a pitch to 8 feet and making the putt, saying as he stood on the 17th hole, “That was a really good 4.’’