JB Holmes Secures Win at Wells Fargo Championship

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

WELL he didn't make it easy for himself, did he? Three years after wondering whether he would ever play golf again, far less return to the winner's circle on the PGA Tour, JB Holmes won the Wells Fargo championship at Quail Hollow in North Carolina.

He started the day in front but struggled to control his nerves early on and had to hold off a ferocious challenge from Jim Furyk, who leapt out of the pack with a final round of 65, and Jason Bohn, who ultimately came undone after being warned for slow play.

Holmes underwent brain surgery in 2011 after being diagnosed with structural defects in the cerebellum, and had to undergo another operation when problems developed with the titanium plate inserted in his skull.

The big hitter returned to the tour in January 2012, but it has taken him a long time to get back where he belongs. Then, he injured his elbow by hitting too many balls in an attempt to return from the brain surgery. He didn’t bother having surgery on his elbow until last year, when he was sidelined by a broken ankle and couldn’t play, anyway. He has been playing on a medical exemption which ended last week. His last victory came in 2008 at the FBR Open.

Holmes stood on the 16th tee with a three-shot lead and when he dropped a shot there he began to look wobbly. Before his brain operation, Holmes might well have let the situation get the better of him, but the fiery temper of old has now gone. This is a golfer who realises how lucky he is to still be alive, and he has a new outlook on life, taking everything in his stride and savouring every day as a bonus.

He came up short at the 17th and then left himself with a 10-foot putt to save par. The ball never looked like finishing anywhere other than in the middle of the cup.

His drive at the notoriously difficult 18th hole finished in the right rough and he was hampered by trees, but decided to go for the green. Holmes failed to make a perfect connection and left his ball in a poor lie, just short of the green. Getting up and down in three for the bogey he needed still looked like a formality, but he hit a poor chip and left himself fully 40 feet from the hole. It was an uphill putt that required his full attention and, with Furyk looking on from the locker-room, he finished three feet away.

Incredibly, Holmes had holed all 47 putts he faced from four feet and under during the tournament and when he made it 48 out of 48, he had finally won again, albeit by a single shot.

His victory secures his place in the field for the Players Championship, the US PGA championship and next year's Masters. Even Fuyk would not have begrudged him his moment in the sun.

After Furyk had played brilliantly, Holmes reached the turn in level par before picking up shots on the 10th, 11th and 15th holes.
“It feels great,” Holmes said. “First I want to think my Lord and saviour for being with me this week and giving me the strength to do this, I defintely couldn’t do it myself. That’s first and foremost.

“It’s been a long journey for me, there’s been some ups and downs but it’s a great feeling to be out here and get one done. I’m happy with the way the year is going.” With the victory, Holmes also booked his spot for The Players Championship.

Furyk reached the turn in three under par and then birdied the 13th and 14th before an eagle on the par five 15th put him in contention.

That moved him to 13 under, one ahead of Martin Flores, whose third place was his best finish on tour. Jason Bohn was fourth after finishing with two double-dogeys, with Justin Rose fifth.

Rory McIlroy, who recovered from a dismal 76 on Friday with a sparkling 65 on Saturday, signed for a 70 that left him in a share of eighth place, but he wasn't happy. “I’m in the top 10 every week and it is fine, it’s whatever. But it’s not wins,” McIlroy said. “It’s another solid week. They’re top 10s, but they’re top 10s without getting in contention either. I don’t want to knock at the back door and top 10 it every week. It’s nice to pick up a nice paycheque but it doesn’t really get the adrenaline going.”

Phil Mickelson continues to struggle with his game. The left-hander reduced Quail Hollow to 63 shots in the third round and went into the final round as the favourite to end his winless streak. Instead, he stumbled to a 76 that featured at least five missed putts from around three feet. “I had two great rounds and I had two pathetic rounds this week,” Mickelson said. “The greens putted perfectly, even though I didn’t.”

The course will host the 2017 US PGA championship and you can be certain of one thing - it will be won with a score far higher than Holmes' 274 total. Changes made since last year have turned this already challenging course into a formidable test, especially when the rough is allowed to grow to major standards.

Image Credit: Facebook Wells Fargo Championship (www.facebook.com/WellsFargoChampionship)

Derek Clements is a sports journalist with a particular passion for golf with over 12 years of experience covering golf and other sports including Chief Sub-Editor on the sports desk of The Sunday Times. To contact Derek email direct via [email protected]