Herman clinches maiden PGA title in Houston

The 38-year-old American fired a four-under 68 in the final round at the Golf Club of Houston to end up at 15 under. Herman two-putted from 25 feet at the final hole to finish a shot clear of Swede Henrik Stenson (68).

American Jim Herman claimed his maiden PGA Tour title with a one-shot win at the Houston Open on Sunday.

Jim Herman claimed his maiden PGA Tour title with a one-shot win at the Houston Open on Sunday.

The 38-year-old American fired a four-under 68 in the final round at the Golf Club of Houston to end up at 15 under. Herman two-putted from 25 feet at the final hole to finish a shot clear of Swede Henrik Stenson (68). He needed some luck to take the outright lead at the 16th, chipping in from the rough for birdie at the par-three hole.

Herman held his nerve after that to close out victory ahead of Stenson, who had three birdies and a bogey on the back nine.

American Dustin Johnson enjoyed a fine preparation for The Masters, firing a 69 to finish outright third. A double-bogey at the par-four 11th after he found water with his second shot proved costly for Johnson.

Rafael Cabrera-Bello (65) stormed into outright fourth, a shot ahead of Daniel Berger (66) and Russell Henley (71). Charles Howell III (68), Chez Reavie (70) and Kyle Reifers (70) ended up tied for seventh at 10 under. World number two Jordan Spieth (70) should perhaps have finished alongside them, only to find water on his final hole.

The American finished with a double-bogey and at eight under, unable to build the kind of momentum he had hoped for ahead of the year's first major. Phil Mickelson (69) also ended up at eight under.