Holmes Pulls Away to Win by Seven

L.A. Times Archives

Feb. 6, 2006 12 AM PT

From the Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. —

Rookie J.B. Holmes gained five shots on his nearest competitor on the 15th hole and walked away with a seven-stroke victory Sunday at the FBR Open, only his fourth tournament since joining the PGA Tour.

The 23-year-old from Kentucky shot a five-under-par 66 in the final round -- five-under 31 on the back nine -- to finish at 21-under 263 and win $936,000.

Combined with the $127,500 he won for a 10th-place tie at the Sony Open in Hawaii, the victory means Holmes becomes the fastest to win $1 million on the tour in PGA history. It took Retief Goosen five tournaments to reach $1 million in 2001.

Ryan Palmer, who made the turn with a one-shot lead, hit the water twice for a triple bogey on the par-five, 552-yard 15th, and his playing partner Holmes made a 14-footer for an eagle. Holmes’ one-shot lead expanded to six, and the tournament was decided.

“It’s just so exciting to actually come through with one of your dreams,” Holmes said.

Palmer finished in a five-way tie for second at 14-under 270. Steve Lowery, J.J Henry, Camilo Villegas and Scott Verplank also were at 14 under.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson birdied five of his last six holes, including the last four in a row, to finish tied with Justin Leonard and Jonathan Byrd at 13-under 271.

Holmes is the first rookie to win a tournament since Sean O’Hair won the John Deere Classic last July. O’Hair was the only rookie to win last year.

On the 17th, Holmes got a surprise when he saw his father, who had flown in for the final round.

“He always said he’d be at my first one,” Holmes said.

Up next

PGA TOUR

AT&T; Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

* When: Thursday-Sunday.

* Site: Pebble Beach.

* Defending champion: Phil Mickelson.

* Purse: $5.4 million.

LPGA TOUR

SBS Open