Jamie Lovemark looking for 1st PGA Tour win on heels of experience

Jamie Lovemark is looking for a breakthrough PGA Tour win on Sunday that would earn him the final ticket to next week’s Masters.

The USC product is tied for the lead with Jim Herman at the Shell Houston Open. Through three rounds, both players are at 11-under 205. They’re one ahead of Henrik Stenson, Dustin Johnson and Russell Henley, all multiple-time PGA Tour winners.

Lovemark’s scores have gotten higher in each round — opening with 5-under 67, then 68 on Friday, then 70 on Saturday. However, scoring conditions have been miserable in each of the last two days, with wind confusing and frustrating players, while a rain-drenched Golf Club of Houston is playing longer than the scorecard says.

Starting with three consecutive birdies after an opening par, Lovemark pretty much had to hang on for dear life after the early flurry.

“Things felt good early. Got some of the down-hole winds early. Got a bunch of birdies and hung on,” he said. “Got tougher throughout the day, firmer and faster. It’s a tough finish. The last couple of holes were tough and not many easy holes throughout the middle of the course. I’m pleased.”

However, the weather forecast is slated to improve on Sunday. Lovemark expects low numbers, certainly compared to the middle rounds. He expects a shootout.

The 28-year-old found himself in a similar position in January, when he went into the final round of the CareerBuilder Challenge playing in the final threesome with a chance to win. He stumbled to a tie for sixth that day, and he’s hoping that experience will carry him to a win and a trip to Augusta National.

“I’ll take some of the things I learned from that and apply it to tomorrow,” he said, “and hopefully I’ll win.”

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

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