With a final-round 70, J.B. Holmes claimed a one-shot victory over Justin Thomas at the Genesis Open.
Holmes finished his four rounds in Los Angeles, California on 14-under par to secure his fifth PGA Tour title. It was the 36-year old American’s first win since the 2015 Shell Houston Open, and moved him back inside the world top 50.
Afterwards, Holmes met with the media at Riviera Country Club. Here are a few of the best questions and answers from the press conference.
SLOW PLAY REP
Adam Scott said just before that we know J.B.’s a slow player and there was some discussion on the broadcast. Do you think that’s a fair assessment?
J.B. HOLMES: I’ve been slow in the past. I don’t think as slow as — I mean, I’m not the fastest player, but I mean, like I said, it was really windy today and we waited a lot early. At the end, I took a little bit longer at the end, but you’re talking about getting down to the tournament, you’re talking about the last nine holes of the tournament.
I mean, I think — correct me if I’m wrong, but I think a lot of times the last group of the tournament gets a little bit behind. So I was never even close to being on the clock all week. I mean, yeah, when I first got out here I was really slow, but I’ve sped up quite a bit. Like I said, the conditions made it tougher, too. Sometimes you’re waiting for the wind to stop blowing 30 miles an hour. Like I said, I’ve gotten better.
There’s times when I’m probably too slow, but it is what it is. I was never on the clock. Nobody — never even got a warning. TV wants everything to be real fast all the time.
JUSTIN THOMAS
Obviously you’ve known JT for a while, being from Kentucky. Just wondering how was it out there just kind of battling with him for 36 holes, and do you recall the first time you actually met JT?
HOLMES: Yeah, it was great being able to go out and play with him and battle it out. He’s such a great player, so it was fun being out there, talking and just battling it out.
Like the first time I played golf with him I think he was 12 or 13. It was in Kentucky and I knew he had a chance. At that age you’ve still got a lot of stuff to go through, but he was definitely a talent and I thought he would get out here and he’s done that and some.
FINAL HOLE
J.B., take me back to that 18th hole today. JT was only 1 behind you, and of course it was neck and neck throughout the entire time. On his third shot he got closer than you did. At any point, what was going through your mind at that time? Are you thinking maybe we’ll have a three-shot overtime here?
HOLMES: You know, with a one-shot lead, 18’s a tough pin, that back left pin. I was basically just trying to make par and make him have to make birdie. If he would have made
birdie, that would have been a fantastic birdie.
So he almost did. He hit a great shot in there and he hit a good putt. But at that point I was just — I hit my 9-iron a little thin. I was trying to get it further back in the green than I did, but it was good enough.
Credit: PGA Tour Media, Getty Images, ASAP Sports
