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PRINT THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE Thursday, September 24, 1998 Herron hopes for payoff again in Texas Open By KELLEY SHANNON AP Sports Writer SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Despite an inconsistent season, Tim Herron believes his game is improving. He hopes it's in solid shape as he defends his title in the Texas Open starting Thursday. "Overall, my golf game is getting a little better," Herron said. "I'm looking forward to this week." Certainly, Herron doesn't mind the perks of being defending champion. Along with the usual tournament honors, the 28-year-old has seen his name carved into a large boulder at La Cantera Golf Club and has been assigned a top-notch parking space at the course. "The coolest part," Herron said, "is you'll always be a champion here at the Texas Open." Herron closed with a 3-under 69 last year and held off Brent Geiberger and Rick Fehr to win the Texas Open by two strokes with a 17-under 271 total amid rainy, windy conditions. It was his second victory in as many years. But that was last year, Herron quickly points out. "This year has been kind of up and down. I've had some good tournaments, a lot of mediocre tournaments," said Herron, currently 51st on the PGA Tour money list with $500,623. When the $1.7 million Texas Open begins, more than 150 other golfers also will have their sights on this year's $306,000 first prize. The 72-hole Westin-sponsored tournament runs through Sunday. Making his debut in a PGA Tour event is U.S. Amateur champion Hank Kuehne, who said Wednesday he hopes to perform well but added that no matter what happens he will delight in playing with the pro golfers. "I was more nervous yesterday on the driving range than I was at any point in the U.S. Amateur," Kuehne said. "It looks a lot different from inside the ropes, to say the least." A senior at SMU, Kuehne said in college golf he doesn't often get to play on such well-tended greens. "I'm excited," he said. "I'm ready to play. I'm driving really good, and that's a bonus." Keeping the ball in the fairway and out of the thick 3-inch rough will be a key to playing well at La Cantera. Doused recently by rain, the greens are firm enough but holding, some golfers said. It's important to remain patient and not become frustrated with the greens or the long, strenuous walk on the hilly 7,001-yard course, Herron said. "You can get into a lot of trouble out here," he said. "It's important not to get discouraged on this golf course because you can make a triple or something, but then you can reel off like five birdies in a row." "I'm real comfortable on this golf course," Herron said. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below: texnews.com Reporter OnLine Local Sports Texas Sports Copyright ©1998, Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below:

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