Getty Image / Andy Buchana
Golf Twitter is great. It’s witty, usually funny and insightful but it’s also a place where when necessary, a place where people can complain to the fullest. It’s golf, people complain, and that’s totally fine. The subject this weekend at The Open is J.B. Holmes and his slow play.
Are the complaints warranted? Yes, ‘pace of play’ isn’t even the right phrase when describing Holmes and his glacial approach to play.
It’s an uncomfortable spot, but this from J.B. Holmes is flat-out absurd. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/Ci3n1HPimK
— Mark Harris (@itismarkharris) July 20, 2019
Now granted, Holmes is certainly in an uncomfortable spot in the video above, but it’s a perfect example of why people are roasting him on Twitter. He’s been slow this week and people have taken notice. It’s probably a safe bet that he’ll only get slower if he remains in contention heading into Sunday’s final-round.
Let’s watch this full-speed video of JB Holmes’ fifth hole pic.twitter.com/EIiEqhfFVL
— Will Bardwell (@willbardwell) July 20, 2019
JB plumb-bobbing a 50-footer from off the fringe over a 6-foot dune.
— Will Gray (@WillGrayGolfbet) July 20, 2019
was sent this amusing exchange from the UK coverage yesterday:
“Sturdy looking fellow, isn’t he, this JB."
Ken Brown “Certainly not built for speed."— Brendan Porath (@BrendanPorath) July 20, 2019
Show the whole JB pre-shot routine. Put a timer on the screen. Air him all the way out. They're already over a hole behind! This isn't fair to Lowry.
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) July 20, 2019
Not on the clock but the last group being watched. @theopen pic.twitter.com/5fgXBenk08
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) July 20, 2019
This isn’t the first time he’s been blasted for his slow play either. The Twitter storm was active earlier this year at the Genesis Open, a tournament he won by one stroke.
His pre-shot routine isn’t that bad, but it’s when he’s around the greens and using the plumb-bobbing method on every putt, usually more than once, that really seems to be getting to people.
The running theme on Twitter is that if there is any committee in golf, the R&A would be the one to put Holmes on the clock and/or penalize him if the slow play continues. Nothing has come about, however, and nothing probably will.
Big props to his playing partner, Shane Lowry, on Saturday for not letting the slow play hurt his game as he currently leads The Open by one at 13-under. Holmes, as he is currently on the 12th hole, is two shots back at 11-under.