February 17, 2019; Pacific Palisades, CA, USA; J.B. Holmes hits from the third hole tee box during the final round of the Genesis Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
(Reuters) – J.B. Holmes won the Genesis Open by one stroke in Los Angeles on Sunday after Justin Thomas blew a four-stroke lead with winds wreaking havoc on the greens.
Thomas started the final round with a comfortable cushion but putted four times at the 13th hole and had a three-putt at the next. He finished with a four-over 75 for a combined 13-under 271.
Holmes was also buffeted by the gusty winds that swept across the course but made a couple of crucial putts, none more important than a 10-footer to save par at the 16th.
He also parred the final two holes for a one-under-par 70, and his fifth career victory on the PGA Tour was sealed when Thomas failed to convert a 20-footer at the last.
Holmes finished at 14-under 270, one in front of Thomas and two clear of South Korean Kim Si-woo (66).
Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Peter [email protected]; +822 3704