Pacific Palisades, CA – The winner came from the last group being 4 shots of the led to start the day. Who would have thought watching the final round on the front nine that 2019 Genesis Open Champion would be J.B. Holmes.
Yes, J.B. Holmes snatched the victory coming from 4 shots behind during the round.
” I knew it was going to be very difficult out there to shoot a low score, so probably needed a little help from Justin,” said Holmes, “It’s what you work hard for and work to do.”
Justin Thomas looked to have control most of the day but playing 34 holes in one day can take its toll. Even though the final group had to face the same hurdles, Thomas was not able to withstand the day.
“I definitely wouldn’t make an excuse of being tired,” said Thomas, “J.B. won. He played great.”
Tiger Woods made a small move earlier getting to (-10 under par) at one point on Sunday before finishing (-6 under-par) tied for 15th place.
“Yeah, I got tired. I don’t know if I’m the only one, but I definitely felt it today,” said Woods, ” Finally got it together a little bit, but still, I made too many mistakes on the greens.”
Now Holmes made his biggest move of the day on the 13th hole making a 12-foot par putt. Then Thomas missed his 8-foot par putt, and then lipped out for double bogey to fall one shot behind.
From this point on J.B. could smell the victory and pulled the mental toughness to par out and never give up that lead.
” I did a lot of good things this week, kind of had a new practice routine on the putting greens and I think that really helped,” said Holmes, ” I played great all week and luckily at the end I was able to pull it out.”
Woods was back on the 18th green as tournament host to greet the winner.
With the victory J.B. becomes the last player to win the Genesis Open because next year it will be an Invitational.
