JB Holmes to undergo brain surgery and will miss the FedExCup Playoffs starting with The Barclays
JB Holmes, the two-time PGA Tour winner, will be undergoing a brain surgery and will not be playing in the upcoming FedExCup Playoffs first event The Barclays.
Holmes withdrew from the PGA Championship after his first round score of 80, citing recurring migraines and concussions. He was later diagnosed with Chiari malformations and was suggested an immediate surgery for the same. The operation is now scheduled
on September 1 and Holmes will not be available for further three months for post recovery purposes.
“I was really looking forward to the Playoffs this year and improving on my 34th-place finish from 2010,” said Holmes, “But with a three-month recovery before I can get back to form, we decided that the sooner I can get this procedure done, the better.”
The 29-year-old Holmes first came across the symptoms while he was engaged with his obligations at the Players Championship where he finished tied for sixth. It was one of the five top-ten finishes Holmes posted for the season and amazingly made 13 cuts
out of 16 appearances on the tour in 2011. He posted a joint third finish at the CVS Caremark Charity Classic and the Tavistock Cup ending 66th on the money list, thus comfortably making it into the $10-million Playoffs.
Holmes went over a whirlwind of consultations from different physicians across the country and finally came to know the cause of the terrible disease at John Hopkins. The doctors at the facility foresaw an imminent surgery and Holmes is hoping to return
to course for short putting in 30 days time, followed by full swing shots in 60 days and get back to professional golf in 90 days. Although the procedure would require a deep penetration within the skull, Holmes is barely budged with the prospects and remains
upbeat of a quick recovery.
“I know when people hear 'brain surgery' it conjures up all kinds of images, but this a relatively low-risk surgery and only takes about an hour and a half. It's just such a relief to know that there's a name for what I've been going through these past few
months,” he added.
Holmes had a brilliant time on the turf last year where he made 24 cuts in his 26 appearances on the tour and posted runners up finish. He soared to 18th of the FedExCup Rankings with total earnings of $2,386,248. Holmes was also part of the winning
Ryder Cup team in 2008 where he went over to defeat Soren Hansen 2&1 in the opening rounds to level ground for Jim Furyk to beat Miguel Angel Jimenez in the final rounds.
The young American has five professional wins in his career including the FBR Open in 2006 and again in 2008.
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