Holmes four clear at Doral

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bruced
March 6, 2015

JB Holmes fired a course record 62 to earn himself a four-shot lead after the first round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

The astonishing round leaves the American on ten under, four strokes clear of Ryan Moore who is by himself in second place.

Holmes unleashed a flurry of birdies on the much feared Blue Monster, starting at the 10th. The 2014 Wells Fargo winner then rolled in another birdie on the 11th and a massive drive helped set up an eagle on the 603 yard par five 12th.

After birdies at the 16th and 17th, Holmes would earn four more birdies on his second nine to complete a flawless round.

“It was a great day for me,” quipped the 32-year-old on Sky Sports.

“I hit it real good again today and made some putts. I made a couple of long ones and hit a couple of real good iron shots in there.

“I had a couple of bad swings with the driver and I made birdie on those two holes so I was able to get out of it just fine. It was a great day and you don’t get those very often.”

Holmes’ 62 equals Bubba Watson at Doral in 2012, as well as Retief Goosen and Sergio Garcia in Ireland in 2002.

World number one Rory McIlroy struggled on the intimidating course, posting a one over 73 to finish 11 shots off the pace.

Six behind Holmes and tied for third place are the dynamic duo of Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson, while Frenchman Adrian Levy is also on four under.