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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, May 22, 2006

Herron ends seven-year drought

Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas — Tim Herron wishes he would have made it easier on himself. But after waiting seven years for another win on the PGA Tour, what's two more holes?

"I guess I made it more fun for the viewers, and kept them tuned in," Herron said.

Herron didn't really enjoy the ending yesterday in the Colonial until making a 9 1/2-foot birdie putt on the 382-yard No. 17, the second playoff hole, to beat Richard Johnson.

The player affectionately known as "Lumpy" led throughout the final round before scrambling at the end. He needed clutch par-saving putts on the last two holes of regulation after a bogey at the 188-yard No. 16, then two more holes to get his first victory since Bay Hill in 1999.

"It went right in the middle. I couldn't believe it," said Herron, who won $1.08 million. "It's been a long time. I didn't know if it would ever come."

Johnson birdied the final two holes of regulation after he three-putted for bogey at No. 16, when he was three strokes behind Herron.

Herron closed with a 2-under 68 to match Johnson (67) at 12-under 268.

Hawai'i's Dean Wilson had three birdies on the front nine but finished with three bogeys for a 70—273. Wilson was tied for 12th and won $117,600. He is ranked 46th on the PGA money list with $763,644 in 17 tournaments.

Stephen Ames (63), hurt by a horrible third round, and Ben Crane (64) tied for fourth at 271 with Brett Quigley (66), Arron Oberholser (67), Stewart Cink (68), Peter Lonard (70) and Nathan Green (70).