Gibb qualifies for U.S. Senior Open

Tim Herron has won nearly $20 million during his 25-year career as a PGA professional.

During a U.S. Senior Open qualifier on Wednesday at The Wilds Golf Club, though, Herron couldn’t find a way to beat Judd Gibb.

In fact, no one could.Fort Dodge’s Gibb defeated Herron and Council Bluffs native Jerry Smith in a playoff to secure the championship and the event’s lone available spot for the 2021 PGA Champions Tour major, which will be July 8-11 at the Omaha Country Club.

All three golfers had carded three-under par 69s in regulation play. Herron’s three-putt bogey in sudden death eliminated him from contention, and after Smith missed a short birdie putt to win on the next playoff hole, Gibb steadily sealed the win with three consecutive pars.

It’s just such an overwhelming honor,” said Gibb, a 1987 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate. “I’ve never played in a USGA championship. It’s always been a dream of mine. This was a tough course, and we found out (on Tuesday night) that only one of us (from the field) would advance. So the pressure was on.

“I had a really solid round and got into the playoff with Tim, a well-known PGA pro with a track record that speaks for itself, and Jerry, a good friend of mine who has played in the U.S. Open a handful of times and is in the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame (Smith has accrued $5 million in career earnings as a pro). They are both terrific players. But (Wednesday) was my day.”

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