"I'm not even in a position yet where I can even think about it," Herman said on Friday of the prospects of re-earning his card. "Just gotta go out there and play as well as we can."
Entering Saturday in a tie for 24th, Herman took advantage of more benign early conditions and posted a 4-under 31 on the front nine en route to a 3-under 67. Although Herman made a sloppy bogey on 18 from less than 100 yards away on his approach, the effort leaves him in a tie for 7th, only three shots back of a trio at players at 10-under.
Herman was one of many players who remained in contention thanks to Watson's sloppy play at the end of the round. If Watson had managed to play even-par golf from 13 in, Herman and the rest of the 7-under contingent would be looking at a six-stroke deficit. Instead, the margin is three, bringing players like Herman, Nicholas Thompson, and local favorite J.J. Henry into the fray.
It has been a struggle this year for the 35-year-old Herman, who qualified off the 2012 Web.com Tour money list by the skin of his teeth after finishing No. 25 on the money list. The Cincinnati native started the 2012 season well but missed four of five cuts before the Tour championship and was nearly bumped out of the top-25 position needed to earn a PGA Tour card.
He held on to earn his place in the big leagues, but the struggles have continued, and Herman has made only 4 of 12 cuts this year with a high finish of T39 at the Puerto Rico Open. But he has made his last three cuts, including last week where he tied for 67th at Merion, and this week's showing has certainly been a positive sign.
"I'm playing well right now," Herman said. "So I just have to keep it up and see where it takes me."
If he does on Sunday, he may find himself in a much better financial position come Monday. Herman will tee off at 1:20 p.m.
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