J.B. Holmes' long wait at Shell Houston Open ends in Masters disappointment

HUMBLE, Texas – You had to feel for J.B. Holmes Sunday at the Shell Houston Open at Redstone Golf Club’s Tournament Course.

He posted 11-under, then waited around for 2 hours and 40 minutes. By the time eventual winner Paul Casey made a bogey on the extremely difficult and long par-4 18th to fall into a two-man playoff, Holmes had been on the practice tee for just a half hour or so, no doubt trying to perfect the drive he knew he would have to hit off the 18th tee again.

When the time came, Holmes pulled his tee shot into the water left on 18, which was playing into a stiff breeze. “I hit a bad shot,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how it happened”

That opened the door for Casey, who needed to just make bogey to grab his first win on the PGA Tour. Casey made bogey, while Holmes’ putt for bogey finished a couple feet short.

Holmes needed to win to get a spot in this week’s Masters, his very favorite major. He had no regrets with the way he played, but he was understandably disappointed that he won’t be going to Augusta this week after being close several times.

“That hurts a little bit, but you know, I’ve had my chances and just didn’t pull them off,” he said.