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Champions

Trump’s putting advice helps Herman lead Barbasol

Nicholasville, Ky.

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.

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 following a recent round.

“He gave me a good talking to and told me to use a different style if it’s not working,” Herman said Friday after shooting his second straight 65 to top the leaderboard. “Some great advice, so I appreciate it.”

On Saturday, 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, the 41-year-old Herman won the 2016 Shell Houston Open for his lone tour title — a victory that followed a friendly round with Trump.

Kelly Kraft was second after a 61. He also eagled the 15th, holing a 65-footer.

Austin Cook (63) and Bill Haas (65) were four strokes back at 20 under.

David Toms, two shots back after a second-round 64, had a 73 to drop into a tie for 32nd at 11 under. The 52-year-old Toms is making his third PGA Tour start of the season.

The winner will receive a spot in the PGA Championship, but not in the Masters.

LPGA

Clanton, Suwannapura win Dow Great Lakes Bay

Midland, Mich.

Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura ran away with the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational on Saturday, shooting an 11-under 59 in best-ball play for a six-stroke victory.

Clanton and Suwannapura took a five-shot lead into the final round at Midland Country Club in the LPGA Tour’s first-year team event.

“I couldn’t even dream up to have won a Symetra event earlier this year and then to come out and win with Jasmine,” Clanton said. “It’s so funny, this is the tournament that I wanted to come and play in. I was like, ‘Team event, I’m in, let’s go.’ So, I’m blessed for the opportunity, I’m blessed that Jasmine came and let me come play with her.”

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.

U.S. Junior Amateur

16-year-old Summerhays wins Junior Championship

Toledo

Preston Summerhays won the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship on Saturday, beating Bo Jin of China 2 and 1 in the 36-hole final at Inverness Club.

Summerhays, the 16-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, , ended it with an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th, a dog-leg left that he also birdied in the morning with a 35-footer after purposely driving down the adjacent 16th fairway.

In the afternoon, Summerhays again tried to play his tee shot down the 16th fairway, but missed and left himself in the rough between the fairways, with a large tree blocking his path. He hit over the tree to set up the 8-foot putt.

Summerhays earned a spot in the U.S. Open next year at Winged Foot, and both finalists qualified for the U.S. Amateur next month at Pinehurst.

Associated Press