Herman brilliant at Moonah
BY Bruce Young | Australasian PGA Tour | 2010 Moonah Classic | Round One | 04 Feb 2010
American, Jim Herman, produced a brilliant late afternoon round of 62 to not only break Robert Allenby’s course record at the Open layout at Moonah Links golfing complex on the Mornington Peninsula, but in doing so he has established a massive four shot lead over New South Welshman Andre Stolz.
The 32 year old Herman seems to like this part of the world having finished third at the Michael Hill New Zealand Open in 2009 although he was not so fortunate in Queenstown last week having missed the cut. In fact Herman has missed his last seven cuts and so this represents a significant turnaround in fortunes for him.
Consecutive nines of 31 and no bogeys made up his near faultless round which bettered Allenby’s opening round of 63 when winning the Australian Open at this venue in 2005.
After two top ten finishes early in 2009, Herman’s form fell away eventually finishing 65th on the money list which meant he would miss out on full status for this year’s Nationwide Tour. He has however made the almost perfect start this week. Herman finished in a very respectable 8th position on debut at Moonah two years ago although in 2009 he missed the cut.
“I wasn’t even expecting to come here,” said Herman after his round. “I think I was fourth alternate for both events and as of four days before I was due to fly out to New Zealand I had no plans of coming out here so it’s a blessing to be here and I will be trying to take full advantage of it.”
“I just wanted to get off to a good start this week and I think I have done that. Hopefully this will lead to some good rounds.”
Stolz has also had a poor run of late, missing his last four cuts, but one of Australia’s most talented players showed today just why. Perhaps nearly missing his alarm for his early tee time this morning this morning was the wakeup call he needed.
Americans Jim Carter and Bobby MacWhinnie share third along with Australian Paul Sheehan while one shot further back is a large group of 13 golfers including the impressive Jamie Lovemark who played very well in New Zealand last week.
At the completion of day one 74 players were under par suggesting a cut score of 2 under may be required tomorrow to make the weekend.
