Every dog has his day as Holmes sets sights on Claret Jug
AMERICAN JB Holmes left his dog at home and lost the outright lead in The Open but still hopes he will be going walkies with the Claret Jug tomorrow.
The 37-year-old conceded his one-shot overnight advantage to share top spot with Ireland’s Shane Lowry after following his firstround 66 with a 68.
It ensures he will have the latest tee slot today, which will give him plenty of opportunity to FaceTime with 18-month-old son Tucker – and six-month-old miniature Goldendoodle Ace bought for 5,000 US dollars (£4,000) in a charity auction.
“We FaceTime the son, and the dog is in the background. They’re never too far apart,” said Holmes, who is well known for taking his dog with him on the PGA Tour to keep the family together.
“He (the dog) hears our voice. He doesn’t much like the phone.
“You know, I miss my son and I miss the dog. They travel with us. We’re here for a few more days and then we get to go back and see him.
“He’s been on hundreds of planes probably. I don’t know how many flights he’s taken but he’s been on a bunch.
“It’s a little pain getting him through the airport sometimes but it’s worth it having a piece of home, being able to travel with a piece of home with you.
“He’s like a family member. You ask my 18-month-old son who’s his best buddy and he says ‘Ace’,
“He sleeps with us in the bed and he’s part of the family.”
Holmes will be hoping to make a 20-inch, 5.4lbs sterling silver jug part of the family when he leaves Royal Portrush tomorrow,
Holmes finished third at Royal Troon in 2016 but was overshadowed by the thrilling duel at the top between eventual winner Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson.
Heading into the weekend, the world number 55 and Lowry are one clear of the field on eight under.
Lowry, who had stormed into a two-stroke lead with six birdies in his first 10 holes before dropping shots on the 14th and 18th, said: “I had a great time today, it was just unbelievable. One of those days where you find yourself pinching yourself.
“I can’t explain how good the crowds were, a day that I’ll remember. Walking down 18 was something special. I’m a bit disappointed to bogey the last but I’m right where I wanted to be and delighted with my two days’ work.
“I’m in a great position going into the weekend of an Open
Championship but there’s two long days left. There are times when it’s not going to be easy and I’ve just got to take it on the chin.”
Tommy Fleetwood – who could follow Ryder Cup partner Francesco Molinari in lifting the Claret Jug – and Lee Westwood a shot behind.
Olympic champion Justin Rose is a stroke further back alongside Cameron Smith and Justin Harding, with world number one Brooks Koepka ominously poised on five under in pursuit of a fifth major win in his last 10 starts.
Former champion Jordan Spieth was alongside Koepka after a 67, but Tiger Woods missed the halfway cut despite battling back from his worst ever opening round in the Open with a battling 70.
“As an older athlete you’re not going to be as consistent as you were at 23,” said the 43-year-old.
Woods, who has had back operations, complained of soreness on Thursday.
He struggled to a seven-over 78 and said he would be receiving treatment after the round.
The American, who won the Masters in April, improved yesterday with a 70, although he finished the round with back-to-back bogeys.
The American, who also missed the cut at the US PGA Championship, added: “I’m going to have my hot weeks. I’m going to be there in contention with a chance to win, and I will win tournaments.
“But there are times when I’m just not going to be there and that wasn’t the case 20-some-odd years ago. I had a different body and I was able to be a little bit more consistent.
“I love the atmosphere and I love the stress of playing in a major. Unfortunately, I’ve only had a chance to win one of them and was able to do it but at the other three I didn’t do very well.”
Woods will skip the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in Memphis in order to rest before the FedEx playoffs.
Fellow American and 2013 champion Phil Mickelson ended his campaign with a 74 for eight over. It is the first time both he and Woods have exited the same major after the first two rounds.