Monday 6 April 2015 10:12, UK
J.B. Holmes overturned a six-shot final-round deficit to snatch Houston Open victory in a dramatic three-man play-off.
Holmes struck nine birdies in an impressive final-round 64 to share the clubhouse lead with overnight leader Jordan Spieth and Johnson Wagner on 16-under, before making par at the second extra hole to claim his fourth PGA Tour title.
The world No 20 had missed a 10-foot birdie putt for victory, but 2008 winner Wagner saw a four-foot par save to extend the play-off lip out.
Spieth had coolly converted from 12-foot at the 18th to force his way back to the top of the leaderboard, but dropped out with a bogey on the first play-off hole when his second shot found the greenside bunker and a poor shot out from a difficult lie left a putt the home favourite couldn't make.
“I knew I had to play a really low round to have a chance,” Holmes said. “I started off great and it’s just worked out for me. It’s a big step coming in to a major. Hopefully I’ll be ready next week; I’m hitting it well so looking forward to it.”
Texas shootout
Holmes opened the final day with five consecutive birdies and added two further gains, including at the seventh where his tee-shot rattled the flag and bounced away, to reach the turn in just 29.
The American picked up another shot at the par-four 11th and followed it up by nailing a 30-foot birdie putt at the next, but then dropped his only shot of the day at the 16th when he chipped out of the bunker and two-putted from 20-feet.
Spieth's one-shot overnight lead evaporated almost before he had time to warm up on the course thanks to Holmes' blistering start. The world No 4 posted back-to-back gains on 13 and 14 to maintain pressure, although he missed lengthy birdie chances on the 16th and 17th to take it all down to his final hole.
Just after Spieth rescued par at the 18th to card a two-under 70, Wagner superbly birdied the par-four from 25-foot to make a three-way tie for the lead.
Russell Henley's final round 69 was enough to finish fourth two shots adrift, with Keegan Bradley and Charles Howell III part of a four-way tie a further stroke back.
