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JB's a home hero

Thursday, 18 September 2008
Matt Thomas
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Big hitter JB Holmes will be exciting to watch this week

Kentucky rookie JB Holmes has described his first Ryder Cup experience as “amazing,” but it was the 13th hole of Tuesday practice when the home town favourite astonished the galleries.

The signature hole at Valhalla, the 350-yard island hole is a spectacular sight and billed as one of the most challenging on the course.

Not for the awesome power of JB Holmes, however. Dared by the crowd, the big hitter removed the head cover of his driver and took aim.

“I think it was 338 to the front. I was just having fun with the crowd. They wanted me to hit driver.”

He nailed it, the ball carrying a monstrous 340-yards and landing soft, on the green in one.

Inevitably, the Kentucky crowd went wild in reaction to a moment of pure power and skill.

The explosive rookie is unlikely to take on such a shot under the pressure of Ryder Cup competition but is sure to keep the crowds entertained this week.

And the American is amazed by the fans’ enthusiam, given that the matches are still yet to begin.

“You’ve got thousands of people cheering for you – it feels awesome.

“There’s really no way to describe it unless you’ve felt that before. We were playing a practice round and it felt like we were in the final group of a tournament. So it was a lot of fun.”

US captain Paul Azinger has hinted pairing Holmes with fellow Kentuckian Kenny Perry in the first foursomes match on Friday morning to fire up the crowd.