'Lumpy' Is Getting The Kinks Worked Out

Tim Herron was not about to kick back after shooting a 5-under-par 65 yesterday at the AT&T National. Even though command off the tee and slick putting left him three shots out of first, Herron opted for the practice green rather than repose.

A seasoned PGA Tour player who has not won much recently, Herron, 38, is savoring this chance by making certain he will be able to lean on his putter as he pursues the leaders.

"Oh man, I've struggled with putting," Herron said, "then ball-hitting, but I'm starting to get my timing. I feel like my swing is just getting a little more fluid, and I'm letting it go."

Herron needed just 27 putts during his third round at Congressional, and he extended his run in this tournament without a three-putt. Herron did the bulk of his scoring by playing Nos. 9 through 13 at 4 under, including three consecutive birdies starting at the 11th.

Herron sank putts of 8, 11 and 16 feet during that run, then parred the rest of the back nine to tie for the second-lowest round of the day. Dean Wilson also shot 65, and Hunter Mahan and Vaughn Taylor fired 64s.

"I played solid golf, no bogeys and five birdies, so it kind of gets me in the mix," Herron said. "I'm excited. I feel like I've got a little more control of the game, even though you never really do."

That confidence wavered from 2000 to '05, when Herron failed to win an event. He had won three times over the four previous seasons.

Stamped with the nickname "Lumpy" since he was 15, Herron focused on shedding weight during his victory drought. He worked with a trainer five to six days a week, dedicating himself more to the treadmill than hitting balls. He wound up losing approximately 30 pounds, but his golf game suffered.

These days Lumpy again fits as a nickname, and his golf appears better for it, too. Herron won his fourth career PGA Tour event in 2006 and made 22 of 27 cuts last season en route to $951,200 in earnings.

"I feel like I kind of know what I'm doing a little bit," said Herron, who finished in the top 20 in three events before the AT&T National. His tie for 13th place in early June at the St. Jude Championship is his best finish so far this season.

Herron was consistent with his driver yesterday, hitting 9 of 14 fairways, and has been reliable off the tee throughout the tournament. He is tied for 30th in driving accuracy at the AT&T; his rank for the season is 117th.

Driving the ball straight enabled Herron to birdie the hardest hole on the course, the 474-yard par-4 11th. He struck his tee shot 290 yards down the right side of the fairway, hit his approach within eight feet and sank the putt to the ovation of Lumpy's Legion, the unofficial moniker for Herron's cheering section.

"I've hit a lot of fairways, so it's a little easier from where I usually play from," Herron said, "but this is a hard test, and you might see some low scores tomorrow, but you might see some leaders back up or whatever."

"I think it will be good for the fans. Tomorrow is anybody's ballgame. I think there's probably 20 to 25 who have a good chance of winning, if not more."