Holmes makes big impression
Six months after being part of America’s triumphant Walker Cup team, John Holmes has the chance today to put himself on track for a Ryder Cup debut in September.
The 23-year-old from Kentucky, playing just his fourth US Tour event since leaving the amateur ranks and winning the tour’s qualifying school, took a one-stroke lead into the final round of the FBR Open in Arizona.
Victory would catapult the little-known Holmes into the top 10 in the race for places in Tom Lehman’s side for the K Club near Dublin in September.
Watched by a record crowd of nearly 170,000 – the event always attracts the biggest galleries of the season – a third-round 65 took the big-hitter to 16 under par, just ahead of compatriots Ryan Palmer and JJ Henry, who had been four clear after his Friday 61.
Norway’s Henrik Bjornstad, another tour rookie who led last week’s Buick Invitational with nine holes to play, was the leading European, a 68 putting him in joint 12th spot on nine under.
Defending champion Phil Mickelson was one stroke further back with Thomas Levet, while Brian Davis and Jesper Parnevik stood seven under and Justin Rose was alongside world number two Vijay Singh on five under.
If he held on Holmes – now known as “JB” rather than John – would be the tournament’s youngest winner since Jerry Pate in 1977.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “As soon as you hit a shot you’ve got everybody yelling. It’s just a phenomenal experience – I just thank the Lord that he’s blessed me so far and got me in this situation.
“I’ve got the putter working. And if you get the putter working you can make some birdies.
Henry was certainly impressed by his young rival.
“First time I’ve really seen him,” he commented. “Tremendous talent, hits the ball forever.”
Asked if he might suffer from nerves on the final day Holmes replied: “Anybody could. Even when Tiger is winning, whoever is winning, you’ve got nerves. Everybody has got nerves, it just depends on how you handle it.
“The tour school was a huge amount of pressure, so it’s definitely given me a lot of confidence and it’s carried over so far.”
