Genesis win for Holmes as JT falters

J.B. Holmes won the Genesis Open at Riviera on Sunday evening after his fellow Kentuckian Justin Thomas suffered a final-round collapse.

The American duo, along with former Masters champion Adam Scott, were in the final threesome at the weather-interrupted event and it was Holmes that managed to negotiate the final hurdle best.

He shot a one-under par final round, mixing three birdies with two dropped shots, while making crucial par-save putts at the 13th and 17th holes.

The field faced into a mammoth final day on Sunday, with many completing round three before teeing off soon after for the final 18 holes.

Thomas had appeared to take control of the tournament with a third-round 65 that put him four strokes clear, but that lead was wiped out just five holes into the final round, as Holmes gained a stroke on four consecutive holes with a birdie and three bogeys from his play partner.

Thomas steadied his ship but a treacherous double-bogey, bogey run on the 13th and 14th holes left him flailing.

He cut the deficit to one stroke when he birdied the par-three 17th, but both he and Holmes would par the final hole, ensuring the latter emerged with a one-shot win on 14-under par.

Si Woo Kim took third spot on 12-under while Rory McIlroy shared fourth with Marc Leishman. Scott also buckled on Sunday, shooting a five-over par final round to finish tied-7th.

“It was great being able to go out and play with [Justin] and battle it out,” Holmes said.

“He’s such a great player, so it was fun being out there, talking and just battling it out.” For Thomas, there was a sense of an opportunity gone, despite enjoying the final round with his long-time friend.

“J.B. won, he played great,” Thomas said. “But it’s always a bummer to hand him a tournament. I feel like I should’ve won that thing.

“Obviously wish I was on the other part of that,” Thomas added, wondering if it’s “ever happened before on the PGA TOUR, two Kentuckians finishing first and second.”

Thomas can be backed at 13.00 to win the Masters at Augusta this season, with Jordan Spieth favourite at 12.00 and McIlroy now 13.00.