June 12, 2003

OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. – Kentucky sophomore John Holmes shot a 76 in the first round of the U.S. Open at the par-70 Olympia Fields Country Club North Course near Chicago on Thursday. When he finished, the Campbellsville, Ky., native was in sixth among the seven amateurs playing in the tournament.

Holmes started the day off with a birdy on the par-5 first hole. After that he bogeyed four of the next eight holes to finish the front nine with a three-over 36. Holmes calmed down a bit as he started the back nine and parred the first three holes before making three straight bogeys. He then went on to par the final three holes to finish six over for the first round.

“I just hit the ball terrible,” Holmes said. “It wasn’t nerves, it was just one of those days. I was hitting my driver all over the place and when I got on the green I just couldn’t put the ball in the hole.

“I had a great time being out there and had a lot of fun. Hopefully tomorrow I can play better and get myself in position to play on the weekend.”

At the time of this release, American Brett Quigley was leading the tournament at five under.Playing in Holmes’ threesome were PGA Tour pros Chad Campbell and Brad Elder. Campbell finished with an even-par 70 and Elder shot a 5-over par 75. The trio will play together in the second round as well. They will go off the 10sth tee at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Agate:
Amateur Players
43 Ricky Barnes71 (+1)
60 Chris Baryla72 (+2)
82 Bill Haas73 (+3)
95 Trip Kuehne74 (+4)
95 Hunter Mahan74 (+4)
111 Chez Reavie75 (+5)
111 Luke List75 (+5)
129 Rick Reinsberg76 (+6)
129 John Holmes76 (+6)
154 Tom Glissmeyer80 (+10)