Former Wildcat Great Holmes Named to Ryder Cup Team

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Former Kentucky men’s golf All-American and Kentucky Athletics Hall of Famer J.B. Holmes was named to the 2016 United States Ryder Cup roster, captain Davis Love III announced on Monday. The Ryder Cup is slated for Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. 

This is the second time in Holmes’ career he will suit up for the Red, White and Blue. He was a member of the 2008 United States team that took home the crown from the Valhalla course in Louisville, Kentucky – which is also the last time the U.S. was crowned champions. 

“I was very excited,” Holmes said in an interview with GolfDigest. “It’s been one of my main goals all year. Some of my greatest memories in golf are from the Ryder Cup at Valhalla.”

Holmes joins Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Brandt Snedeker, Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker on the 12-man team. Love III has one remaining captain’s pick to complete the team.  

The Campbellsville, Kentucky, native is 10th in total PGA tour points and has two top-five finishes in majors this season, including a career-best third-place finish at the British Open in July. Holmes solidified his selection to the team with a fourth-place finish on Sunday at the BMW Championships to qualify for the Tour Championship. 

No stranger to events such as the Ryder Cup, Holmes was a member of the United States’ victory for the 2015 President’s Cup a season ago. He was a fixture on that team, earning 2.5 points while teaming up with Bubba Watson. The tandem earned a 3&2 result on the first foursomes format, before earning a 2-up victory on the four-ball portion of the event. The duo teamed up for a third day during the fourseomes play and halved its round with Adam Scott and Marc Leishman.  

Holmes currently ranks No. 28 in the world and has earned more than $2 million in 21 events for the season. He has racked up seven top-10 finishes this season, including a fourth-place finish at The Masters and a third-place showing at The Open Championship. He has four career tour victories and 34 all-time top-10 finishes. He reached as high as a No. 14 ranking in 2015 with seven top-10 finishes a season ago. In the last three seasons, Holmes has amassed 15 top-10 finishes, two victories, two runner-up finishes and one third-place showing. 

The 37th Ryder Cup was played at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2008 with Holmes playing a major part in the United States’ victory. A crowd favorite thanks to his local ties, Holmes scored 2.5 points with a win and a tie during the fourball portion of the event, as well as a victory in the head-to-head final day matchup. He defeated Soren Hansen 2&1 by making two final birdies to set up Jim Furyk’s clinching win. 

A three-time All-American at Kentucky and UK Athletics Hall of Famer, Holmes helped guide the Wildcats to the 2005 Southeastern Conference Championship. 

For the latest on the Kentucky men’s golf team, follow @UKMensGolf on Twitter and on the web at UKathletics.com.