JB Holmes took full advantage of Justin Thomas’ final round struggles to return to the winner’s circle at the Genesis Open on Sunday.
It was a 1-2 for Kentucky as Thomas’ mentor erased a four-shot deficit on a gruelling final day at Riviera Country Club that saw the leaders play 33-plus holes.
Holmes’ final round 70 was five better than Thomas as the elder statesmen won for the first time since the 2015 Houston Open.
‘It’s a huge win,’ said Holmes, who took the lead for the third and final time after a 12-foot par at the 13th. The hole knocked the wind out of JT’s sails as he four-putted for double bogey.
‘Two three-putts and a four-putt on my back nine,’ Thomas said after signing for a four-over 75 for 271. ‘The third putt on 13, I could feel the wind coming and I got scared, so I tried to hit it harder — and I did hit it harder and that’s why I missed it.’
Holmes was still one ahead when he drained an 11-footer to save par after finding a bunker at 16 — part of his march home with seven straight pars.
‘He played great,’ Thomas said. ‘But it’s always a bummer to hand him a tournament. I feel like I should have won that thing.’
Holmes and Thomas have a long history going back to the latter being given inside-the-ropes access while still a junior golfer.
On Sunday, though, the student was not able to master the difficult conditions as his mentor controlled his own destiny.
South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli finished with a 68 for a share of 28th place.
Final leaderboard:
270 – JB Holmes 63-69-68-70
271 – Justin Thomas 66-65-65-75
272 – Kim Si-woo (KOR) 68-70-68-66
273 – Marc Leishman (AUS) 69-69-67-68, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 72-63-69-69
275 – Charles Howell 69-69-68-69
276 – Michael Thompson 69-64-73-70, Adam Scott (AUS) 66-65-69-76
277 – Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 71-69-70-67, Carlos Ortiz (MEX) 67-72-69-69, Dustin Johnson 73-66-69-69, Kelly Kraft 69-68-69-71, Jon Rahm (ESP) 67-70-69-71, Vaughn Taylor 67-69-74-67
