Honda Classic leader Herman credits Trump for push to PGA Tour

There’s a good chance you hadn’t heard of Jim Herman before Thursday.

The first-round leader at The Honda Classic has two top-10 finishes in his prior 75 career PGA Tour starts, with both coming in 2013. The opening 65 he shot at PGA National isn’t his career low on Tour, but it is by far his best round given the conditions and competition. He’s never led on the PGA Tour.

There’s an even better chance you would never have heard of Jim Herman on Thursday were it not for Donald Trump.

Back in 2006, Herman had grown weary of mini-tours and Monday qualifiers, taking a job as an assistant pro at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. It was there Trump noticed Herman and encouraged him.

“Got into a nice conversation with Donald, Mr. Trump, one day,” Herman said. “He’s like, `Why are you folding shirts and giving lessons? Why aren’t you on the Tour? I’ve played with tour players, you’re good enough.’

“I don’t know, maybe something like that gives you more confidence.”

Herman calls Trump’s club in nearby Jupiter, Fla., his home course and wears the Trump logo on his golf shirts and bag. The reason is simple, Herman said: “He’s been influential in getting me to the Tour.”

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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