MEMPHIS – Jim Herman said he’s a longshot to cash in on the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program.
Twitter Jim Herman said he’s like Secretariat moving like a tremendous machine toward the $40 million finish line.
“My ship has come in!” Herman tweeted in April the day after Golfweek reported that the PGA Tour created a new program that will divvy up $40 million among the top 10 players “who are judged to drive fan and sponsor engagement.”
In other words, the game’s biggest stars will cash in.
Herman is not one of the game’s biggest stars. He knows that. He’s 43, been a journeyman for some time, is ranked No. 141 in the world. Has three wins on the PGA Tour, but has missed 34 cuts since the start of 2019 and his most recent top 10 came a year ago.
On Thursday, however, Herman shot 6-under-par 64 in the first round of the World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational to take up a spot near the top of the leaderboard. That certainly can’t hurt his PIP chances.
And on Twitter, Herman’s alter ego makes him out to be the game’s biggest star.
#PiP #$40,000,000.00 pic.twitter.com/6Cs94S5y2e
— Jim Herman (@gohermie) August 5, 2021
“I can’t believe the Tour is going to pay me $40,000,000.00 for this Twitter account. There’s gotta be a catch?” he tweeted in early May.
After Phil Mickelson became the oldest player to win a men’s major when he shocked the golf world by winning the PGA Championship, Herman teed up his response. “Happy for @PhilMickelson, but still bittersweet knowing that he’s probably gonna bump me from the top spot on the PIP rankings. #fortyMil.”
Happy for @PhilMickelson, but still bittersweet knowing that he’s probably gonna bump me from the top spot on the PIP rankings. #fortyMil
— Jim Herman (@gohermie) May 24, 2021
You have to admit, the guy is funny. Recently, he kept up his PIP campaign with a couple of beauties.
“Kind of pitiful watching the last gasp #PiP efforts from my fellow @PGATOUR members. I can’t believe these guys still think they’ve got a shot at the $40,000,000.00 #TooLittle #TooLate #CantCatchHermie.
And then: “Great question Max (Homa)! My caddy will receive standard 10% bonus on my $40,000,000.00 in #PiP earnings. Plus complete consciousness on his death bed.”
Haven’t tweeted the last two days on purpose. Trying to avoid becoming overexposed. #PiP #$40,000,000 @PGATOUR
— Jim Herman (@gohermie) June 11, 2021
Outside of Twitter World, Herman is a humble guy just chugging along without much fanfare. Which is fine with him.
“Yes, well, I’m a different person on Twitter. On Twitter, like everybody, we say things and we hide behind our tablet or our phone,” said Herman, who used to work as an assistant pro for former President Donald Trump at Trump Bedminster and received some financial backing from Trump as he pursued his career in professional golf. “I think some people that know me think I’m pretty funny, but a little bit more recently, I suppose.
“Obviously I’ve got a long way to go, but I think good golf is one of the biggest factors in that. I’ve got to get a “W.” Twitter can be an interesting experience, so we’re trying to keep it funny and light and just have fun with it. Too many people take things too seriously on Twitter, so just trying to poke a little fun at a few things and poke fun at myself as well.
“It’s been an interesting program that the Tour’s put out and I know I don’t have much of a chance, but maybe a win this week would help boost my ratings.”
Was informed by high placed sources this morning that my Cinderella like run at the $40,000,000.00 #PiP is gaining “traction”. Might order extra guac @chipotle tonight.
— Jim Herman (@gohermie) June 22, 2021