Report: Five-time PGA Tour winner branded ‘cheat’

A former Ryder Cup winner has reportedly been blasted for going undercover to enter and win a scramble under a different name.

Five-time PGA Tour winner J.B. Holmes allegedly listed himself for the six-man competition as Jonathan Bradley, which is the name Holmes’ initials stand for.

But the American’s participation sparked outrage when tournament organisers eventually discovered the player behind the label.

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It is claimed that Holmes led his team to a win in the scramble, which had a $30,000 Calcutta but was subsequently ineligible to play for prize money as one member tore into his discretion.

According to Ryan French of Monday Q, the leaderboard was split into ‘flights’ after day one, and the crowd jeered and even chanted ‘BS!’ when Holmes’ flight was announced.

One member told French: “The thing is, they didn’t break any rules for having a pro on their team.

“What they did do is lie and cheat their fellow members by signing up Holmes under a different name.”

The annual scramble at the Franklin Bridge Golf Course attracted 22 groups to Tennessee, while four players of each team had to be club members, and only two could have plus handicaps.

And according to members overseeing the event, also known as ‘Gangsome’, the club’s owner recognised the multiple PGA Tour winner’s long swing on the third hole of day two.

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It was then that Holmes’ group was made aware they were no longer competing for around $21,000, the first prize going to the team who posted the lowest score on the second day.

The 41-year-old, who won 2.5 points for Paul Azinger’s USA side at Valhalla over a decade ago, was still eligible to lift the trophy, and his team did.

French reported that Holmes did not attend the dinner, though, and his teammates made a quick escape after lifting the silverware, as the ‘vulgarities’ started towards his teammates.

A member also told French that the crowd “went crazy” and “boos started.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.