Holmes clinches title in playoff
Perfect final preparation for Masters
HOUSTON, April 6, (AFP): J.B. Holmes fashioned an electrifying final round, then held on to win the Houston Open in a three-way playoff Sunday for a perfect final preparation for next week’s Masters.
“Anytime you can get a win it’s a big step coming into a major,” said Holmes, who beat Johnson Wagner with a par at the second hole of sudden death after Jordan Spieth was eliminated at the first playoff hole.
“Hopefully I’ll be ready next week,” with a bogey.
From the 18th tee again, Holmes and Wagner both found the fairway. Holmes gave himself a 10-foot birdie putt, while Wagner left himself a difficult effort over the ridge.
Holmes’ birdie effort trickled right, but his par proved good enough when Wagner’s five-foot par putt failed to drop.
Wagner had been hoping to duplicate his fairytale win in this event in 2008 — his first US PGA Tour title giving him a Masters berth.
He’s had his struggles since then, including losing his tour card. Losing out on the trophy and a spot in the year’s first major was a blow, but being in contention was a sign of progress.
“Birdying 18 to even get in the playoff was pretty incredible,” Wagner said. “I’m pretty bummed right now, I love this event. I’m really pretty disappointed, But there’s a lot of good stuff going on.”
Spieth, who finished runner-up to Bubba Watson in his Masters debut last year, still takes plenty of confidence into Augusta. National often enough to know he cannot be overly aggressive when the year’s first major tournament opens Thursday.
“I’ve learned a lot from my three visits to Augusta National,” he said. “It’s not a golf course where you can go aggressive as it will punish you, especially around the greens. You need to be steady and consistent to play each shot and try to make birdies when there is a good opportunity.”
Among the things Thongchai enjoys about the trip down Magnolia Lane to the Augusta National clubhouse is the tradition on offer, including the Par-3 Contest, although no player who has ever won it has gone on to win the Masters in the same year. “Augusta National is a unique course unlike the other majors where they switch different courses every year,” he said. “There is so much tradition at the Masters Tournament ... such as the Par3 Contest. It’ll be a good week.”
The former paratrooper made the Masters cut for the first time last year, achieving his goal of playing through the weekend at every major at least once. Thongchai, the only three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, shared 37th at last year’s Masters and also won the Nordea Masters in Sweden, his second victory on European soil.
He is also in position to secure a spot on the Internationals squad that will face the United States in this year’s Presidents Cup in October at South Korea.
India’s Anirban Lahiri will fulfil a childhood dream when he makes his US Masters debut this week at the fabled Augusta National and the world number 34 is determined not to lose his way in the golfing “temple”.
The 27-year-old has forced his way into the year’s first major after a productive 12 months in Asia that yielded four titles, including two in lucrative European Tour co-sanctioned events.
Lahiri has sought tips on Augusta from former Asia number ones and compatriots Arjun Atwal and Jeev Milkha Singh and recognises keeping his nerves in check would be the first pre-condition for an eye-catching week.
“It’s easy to get a little overwhelmed and overawed with the history and tradition of the event,” he said in an Asian Tour release on Monday.
“It’s a place of reverence, it’s like a holy place and you can get lost in the temple.
“For me, the three days before the first round will be very important...the faster I get comfortable, the more comfortable I will feel.
“I’ll spend as much time there on Monday and Tuesday and get over the big moment of being there. My first tee shot will be a huge one. After that first few shots, how I can focus will be very important.”