Yesterday, it was reported by Ryan French of MondayQ.com that five-time PGA Tour winner J.B. Holmes was playing in a scramble golf tournament held at Franklin Bridge Golf Course in Tennessee. The event involved a ‘Calcutta’ – a method of auctioning each team — with the pot divided by the top teams.

• Related: Report: 5-time PGA Tour winner blasted and called a cheat after taking part in scramble listed as 8.8 handicap

The report stated that only two of the four-man team could be plus handicappers, and “it’s not uncommon for teams to buy themselves, or at least a share of their team.” Holmes was listed as having a handicap of 8.8.

On Wednesday night, J.B. posted a clarification to the story on his Twitter page, saying “Here is the Tournament rules and what actually happened. We were winning -21 after round 1 and that’s how they made the flights.”

He also called the coverage of the story “a compilation of inaccuracies”.

Here is the Tournament rules and what actually happened. We were winning -21 after round 1 and that’s how they made the flights. pic.twitter.com/zCNUm0kNYY

— J.B. Holmes (@JBHolmesgolf) June 1, 2023

A Twitter user, “Martin McSports” replied to Holmes’ tweet and gave him props for clarifying the story.

This isn’t nearly as fun as the sensational story we were all told. You could have played along with the BS story. JK. Sorry it turned out that way, props for clarifying and doing in a good hearted way. Really cool of you to play a scramble too BTW. Cheers.

— Martin McSports (@MartinMcSports) June 1, 2023

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At the PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy seemed to be done talking about LIV Golf. When a reporter asked him to “look in his crystal ball” at what the world of golf may look like in three years, Rory declined to speculate.

“I don’t have a crystal ball,” McIlroy said.

“You don’t want to speculate?” the reporter asked McIlroy.

“No,” McIlroy said.

Then, a different reporter asked McIlroy if it was going to be a conscious thing for him to sidestep the LIV Golf-PGA Tour narrative going forward.

“Yeah,” McIlroy said.

Just a few weeks later, McIlroy is back to speaking about LIV golfers and their place in the golf ecosystem. At his pre-tournament press conference for this week’s Memorial Tournament, Rory was asked about whether or not LIV players should be able to participate in the Ryder Cup.

“I certainly think Brooks deserves to be on the United States team,” Rory McIlroy said on Wednesday. “I think with how he’s played, I mean, he’s second in the U.S. standings, only played two counting events. I don’t know if there’s anyone else on the LIV roster that would make the team on merit and how they’re playing. But Brooks is definitely a guy that I think deserves to be on the U.S. team.”

The four-time major champion, however, wasn’t as impressed with the European players on the LIV roster.

“I have different feelings about the European team and the other side and sort of how that has all transpired. I don’t think any of those guys should be a part of the European team,” McIlroy said.

Rory is set to tee it up at Muirfield Village Thursday afternoon as he seeks his first win at Jack’s tournament.

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Update 6/1: Holmes offered his side of the story. Details here. 

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BUSTED!

On second thoughts, it should be easy to spot Jonathan Bradley and his unique swing, especially in a six-player scramble. However, five-time PGA Tour winner J.B Holmes remained covert until it really counted.

• Related: College golfer suffers gruesome on-course injury during NCAA Championship

As reported by Ryan French on Twitter and his website, the former world number 12 and two-time major top-five was part of the 22-team Gangsome held at Franklin Bridge Golf Course in Tennessee. The event involved a ‘Calcutta’ – a method of auctioning each team, with the pot divided by the top teams. Crucially, Ryan reports, only two of the four-man team could be plus handicappers, and “it’s not uncommon for teams to buy themselves, or at least a share of their team.” Bradley was listed as having a handicap of 8.8.

Update to the JB Holmes story. Although handicaps weren’t used in the event, so he didn’t play as an eight. It looks like he was listed as an 8.8 according to the picture I got yesterday. Again, I want to be clear I haven’t spoke w JB, so no idea what he knew or didn’t know. pic.twitter.com/sj7VlZXzVb

— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) May 31, 2023

Team Bradley led after the first day, and with around $70k on the line, everyone was tuned into the round two leaderboard as his team teed off on the third hole. It was then the owner of the club recognized Holmes from his swing and it was decided that his team would be “refunded its buy-in of the Calcutta but be ineligible for the big money.” They were, however, allowed to play for the silverware.

As the teams approached the clubhouse for post-event dinner, it was clear that Jonathan Bradley and his teammates had been crossed off the leaderboard, prompting jeers and shouts of ‘Bullshit!’ from the other players and bidders that would certainly have not known they were betting on teams containing a fully fledged top grade professional.

Ryan reports that the team didn’t stay around for the full presentation, grabbing their trophy and making for the exit. Even though they hadn’t done anything wrong in having a pro on their team, one member confirmed that, “What they did do is lie and cheat their fellow members by signing up Holmes under a different name.” And, presumably, with a completely incorrect handicap!

It’s unclear if Holmes saw this as a bit of a laugh, but he certainly saw the funny side, posting on Twitter for the first time in 2023…

I did play scrabble under my real name…..John Bradley. It was bring your best team….. and we had the best team. pic.twitter.com/RsaYrV9cV5

— J.B. Holmes (@JBHolmesgolf) May 30, 2023

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