Holmes Fires 62 for Four-Shot Lead at WGC-Cadillac Championship


J.B. Holmes smashed the post-remodel course record at Trump National Doral following a 10-under 62 to take a resounding opening-round lead in the WGC-Cadillac Championship. The $9.25 million event started Thursday in Miami.

Against an elite field boasting the top-50 players in the world - the first time that's happened since the 2012 PGA Championship - Holmes made a mockery of the vaunted "Blue Monster" course, recording eight birdies and an eagle for a four-stroke cushion over Ryan Moore and six ahead of Frenchman Alexander Levy and fellow Americans Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.

During a brief interview after his round, his first in a World Golf Championship tournament in five years, the 32-year-old Kentuckian, who broke a six-year victory drought with a win last May in the Wells Fargo Championship, said, "I made sure I stayed under the hole, and I made a lot of putts.

"I didn't hit any bad shots. It was a great day and I really enjoyed it," added Holmes, who started play on the 10th tee. On his front half he recorded four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 12th (his third hole) to make the turn in 6-under 30. He came home with four more birdies to establish a new record on the course, which was remodeled in 2013 prior to last year's event, when only four players were under par after two rounds.

Moore also got off to a great start with five birdies on the front nine. The 32-year-old from Tacoma was sailing along nicely on the back nine as well, with three birdies on Nos. 10-12. Following five straight pars he doubled the difficult par-4 18th for a 66.

Despite Moore's final-hole misstep, the four-time Tour winner was pleased with his outing. "I controlled the ball beautifully and putted great," he said at greenside. "Probably the best I've played in awhile."

Trailing Holmes by a whopping seven shots in a tie for sixth are Florida's Brooks Koepka and No. 3-ranked Henrik Stenson of Sweden. Eight back are Americans Gary Woodland, Charley Hoffman and Jim Furyk, Welshman Jamie Donaldson and Aussie Adam Scott.

Playing in his first event of the year with a new caddie and a short putter, Scott posted five birdies, a bogey and a double on the bunker- and water-festooned layout.

Another reason for Scott's extended absence was the birth of his new baby girl February 15.

On the eve of the tournament the 34-year-old from Adelaide expressed eagerness in resuming his career. "The last few weeks at home, seeing a bit of the guys play, I've got that kind of itchy feeling to play," said Scott, who hadn't competed since tying for second at the Australian PGA Championship in early December. "But I was home for a good reason and everything is going well, so [it's a] good time to kick it off here."

His switch to a regulation-length was in preparation for a rules change that will ban anchored putters next January. The 2013 Masters champion noted on Wednesday that the new club wouldn't be that big of a deal. "I've putted lots of different ways at home, and probably going to putt with a shorter putter this week. It's been feeling good. I've enjoyed doing it. I did it for a long time, too, that way."

No 2-ranked Bubba Watson was among nine players starting with 1-under 71s. Playing in the marquee threesome with Stenson and top-ranked Rory McIlroy, Watson, the reigning Masters champion, had two birdies, an eagle on the 12th (his third hole of the day after starting on the 10th tee), and three bogeys.

Also shooting 71 was defending champion Patrick Reed.

After missing the cut in last week's Honda Classic - his season debut in the U.S. - McIlroy again struggled, posting a 1-over 73. The 25-year-old Northern Irishman got off to a lousy start with two bogeys and a double on the 18th hole (his ninth) to make the turn in 4-over 40.

The player who won two majors in 2014 improved on his back nine with three birdies, an eagle on the par-5 eighth (his 17th) before closing with another bogey on the par-3 ninth for a score 11 strokes higher than Holmes'.

"It was just another day where I didn't get off to the greatest of starts, just couldn't get anything going," McIlroy said. "I felt tentative (on the front nine) and, then being 4-over after the turn, I (felt) like, 'There's not much else to lose, go ahead and be aggressive.' "

Since there's no cut in the tournament, McIlroy - who will be paired again Friday with Stenson and Watson - will have a chance to get his game in shape over the next three days. "It's nice to get four rounds this week and sort of play your way into some sort of rhythm. I don't feel like it's that far away. That's the frustrating thing. I know that it's in there."

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