Minnesota's Herron Qualifies for First U.S. Senior Open

View full size image

  HUDSON, Wis. – While he has 11 U.S. Open appearances to his credit, an invitation to SentryWorld next month marks a first in Minnesota Golf Hall of Famer Tim Herron’s professional career—his first appearance at the U.S. Senior Open.

Herron fired a bogey-free 5-under 66 Wednesday at Troy Burne Golf Club to claim medalist honors and the lone qualifying spot to the championship beginning June 29 in Stevens Point, Wis.

“I kept it in front of me and stayed patient—I didn’t birdie a par-5 out there,” Herron said following his round Wednesday. “I hit some good wedges, had some good opportunities and made the putts when I had to.”

Beginning his round on the 10th tee Wednesday, Herron converted birdie chances on a pair of par-3s and would turn in 2-under for his round.

After missing a short birdie chance at the first, Herron dropped a 40-footer for birdie at the second to move into a share of the lead at 3-under.

In control of his short irons, Herron’s second at the par-4 fourth stopped four feet from the pin where he converted his fourth birdie of the round to take the outright lead, and added a tap-in birdie at the sixth, going on to post a 66 to earn a two-stroke victory.

“The most difficult part of the day was my speed control on the greens,” said Herron. “They’re a little slower coming out of the spring and I’ve been playing 13 or 14 on the Stimpmeter. I had to be conscious of the putt to make sure I got it there.”

Diagnosed with Dupuytren’s contracture, a disease affecting muscles and tendons in the hand, more than a decade ago, Herron entered the round with a foot issue as well, unsure just how many holes he’d be able to play.

“I was in between playing and withdrawing,” he said. “It’s off and on and sometimes I can’t bend my fingers. I took some Advil and decided to try and play nine holes and see how it goes. I shot a couple under on the front and just kept going.

“Hopefully [SentryWorld will] mow the rough so my hand will be okay. I played it when I was a junior, so that was about 30 years ago. If it’s a [Robert Trent Jones Jr. design] where it’s a little more forgiving off the tee, I think I have a chance to perform pretty well there.”

Herron, 53, made the cut seven times during his 11 starts at the U.S. Open, with his best finish coming at the memorable 1999 championship at Pinehurst where he finished in sixth place, seven shots behind the late Payne Stewart.

His most recent appearance came in 2012 at The Olympic Club, where he posted rounds of 74-77 to miss the cut by three shots.

Turning professional in 1996, Herron claimed four PGA Tour victories and nearly 60 top-10 finishes in more than 560 starts, while earning close to $20 million in earnings. He currently sits 90th on the PGA Tour Career Money List.

In 64 starts on the PGA Tour Champions since becoming eligible in 2020, Herron has collected four top-10 finishes, including a runner-up finish at the Boeing Classic in 2021.

Herron’s best finish at a major on the PGA Tour Champions came at last season’s KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, closing out the tournament with back-to-back rounds of 69 to place tied for 20th at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas.

The Herron family made USGA history last year when Tim’s son, Carson, became the fourth generation in his family to qualify for the U.S. Amateur.

Joel B. Johnson, who qualified for last year’s championship at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa., carded a 3-under 68 Wednesday and prevailed in a playoff to finish as first alternate.

Professional Mario Tiziani, who won the 2021 Minnesota Senior Open at Keller Golf Club, finished as second alternate.

Opening in 1982, the 2023 U.S. Senior Open marks the first men’s major championship to be played at SentryWorld. The Robert Trent Jones Jr. design most recently hosted the U.S. Girls’ Junior in 2019.