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Holmes wins PGA Tour qualifying event
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-06 08:43
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. - John Holmes played the best golf, while Bill Haas and
Danny Ellis delivered the drama Monday to join 29 others who survived the most
grueling week on the PGA Tour to earn their cards for next year.
Holmes became the first player in 22 years to leave college and win the PGA
Tour qualifying tournament, closing with a 3-under 69 to win by three shots over
Alex Cejka of Germany. It was a magnificent week at Orange County National for
Holmes, the former Kentucky star who helped the United States win the Walker Cup
this summer. He was the only player to shoot in the 60s all six rounds.
"I'm just glad it's over," said Holmes, who finished at 24-under 408. "I made
it pretty easy on myself this week. I just went out there and tried to play 18
holes every day and act like I was playing with my buddies. It was a relief when
that last putt went in on the last hole."
Typical of the last day at Q-school, there were high-wire acts and train
wrecks, and tears of joy and disbelief.
Haas, who narrowly missed his card last year, was headed for more heartache
on the Panther Lakes course when he bogeyed the 15th hole to fall to 9 under,
two shots below the projected cut line.
But with his father, Jay Haas, nervously watching, the rest of the round was
pure clutch.
The 23-year-old Haas holed a 10-foot putt to save par on the 16th, made
birdie on the 17th and came to the par-5 18th needing a birdie to get his card.
From 203 yards away in the left rough, he chased his approach onto the front of
the green, lagged his 50-foot eagle putt to inside 3 feet and sneaked it in the
right side for a 72.
His father put his hand over his heart in relief, emotion shared by the son.
"It was tough out there today," Haas said. "I thought I was going the wrong
way. Somehow, I snuck a putt in on the last hole. I was shaking. I was nervous."
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