Chipping In - JBs Jubilation, Amazing Aguilar

Chipping In is a weekly column from golf journalist Nick Bonfield

Jubilation for JB

Few, if any, victories on the PGA Tour have been received with as much joy as JB Holmes' triumph at the Wells Fargo Championship - his first win since the FBR Open in February 2008. Holmes entered the final round with a one-shot lead and extended it to three shots with three holes remaining. Those three holes? Only the toughest non-major stretch on the PGA Tour last season. He made bogey at 16, parred 17 and presided over a 45-footer on the 18th green knowing two putts would secure an emotional victory. He  cosied his first effort to the hole and tapped in as the crowd around the 18th green erupted to celebrate a win that means so much to a man who must have suspected his playing days were over some three years ago.

Aside from Erik Compton, perhaps, no one on the PGA Tour has suffered so severely at the hands of injury in recent times. The list of afflictions faced, and indeed overcome, by Holmes is hugely impressive, and testament to the character, drive and heart of a man who lives for the game of golf. Since his last success in 2008, Holmes has undergone two brain surgeries, elbow surgery and recovered from a broken ankle. He's now declared himself fit and healthy and the future looks bright for an extremely popular and inspirational golfer who's demonstrated what can be achieved with self-belief, work ethic and sheer desire. 

Good weeks for big three

It was an up and down week for Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose. Mickelson shot a first-round 67 and lit up the golf course en route to a Saturday 63 that propelled him into the top 5. He stumbled to a 76 on Sunday, though, and his inconsistency remains a concern as we approach a busy summer of golf. Inconsistency is a word that can also be leveled at Rory McIlroy. His long game looks in excellent shape, but it's been a bit of a struggle on the greens in recent months. When everything clicks into place, as it did during the third round, he's more than capable of shooting low scores, it's a bit of a lottery at the moment. That said, he's showing good signs, and looks poised to enjoy a fruitful summer - a statement that also applies to Justin Rose. The Englishman has now fully recovered from tendonitis in his right shoulder and is back to the relentless solidity that's characterised his asention up the world rankings. 

Positive signs for Ogilvy

Geoff Ogilvy has been one of the biggest disappointments in the world game over the last few years, and it's difficult to account for his slump down the world rankings. Motivation, or lack thereof, has frequently been touted as an explanation, but regardless of factors, the Australian remains one of the most naturally talented golfer in the world - something that hasn't been reflected in his recent results.

Ogilvy has won one major and three World Golf Championship titles, and spent more than 120 weeks inside the world's top 10, but he's currently languishing in 165th position - far too low for someone of his caliber. Even though he hasn't recorded a top 10 since the 2013 Honda Classic, recent signs have been positive. He's finished inside the top 27 in three of his last five events - including a tie for 14th at the Wells Fargo Championship - so let's hope a return to his major-winning for is imminent, because the game of golf is in a better place when he's competing consistently. 

Amazing finish from Aguilar

On the face of it, the Championship at Laguna National didn't look like the most exciting of events. But golf is innately difficult to predict, and with so many good players all capable of fireworks when everything clicks into place, it's often the tournaments that don't receive a huge billing that provide the most drama. 

In Singapore, Felipe Aguilar produced one of the best back nines in tournament history to pip Dane Anders Hansen and secure a one-shot victory - his second European Tour title and first since the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open in 2008. After turning in 34, the Chilean birdied 10,11,12 and 13, added two more at 15 and 17 and holed his approach at the par-4 18th to record a 2-2 finish and come home in 28. Hansen, himself going through a lengthy victory drought, was unlucky - it's not often you hold the 54-hole lead, shoot 67 in the final round and don't win - but hats off to Aguilar. When someone plays the round of their life, you have to hold your hands up and congratulate them.

On another note, the European Tour celebrates its 1,500th event this week at the Madeira Islands Open. It's a great achievement, and all those who've worked hard to make that possible deserve huge credit.

Players returns

This week sees the return of TPC Sawgrass to our screens as the world's best players head to Florida for the Players Championship. Tiger Woods won't be in the field as he continues his recovery from back surgery, but there are a number of intriguing sub plots. As I've mentioned, Mickeson and McIlroy are showing glimpses, Rose, Westwood and Donald are going through positive spells, the likes of Garcia and Stenson are playing good golf and a number of well-known Americans are in decent form.

The Players - the unofficial fifth major - is always one of the best events of the season, and signals the start of a busy stretch that takes in three majors, a World Golf Championship and the FedEx Cup play-offs. Despite Woods' absence, I'm excited about what's to come over the next four months or so. 

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