J.B. Holmes has been to every major event at Valhalla -- twice as a fan, twice as a player.
Holmes grew up in Kentucky and was in the gallery when Mark Brooks won the 1996 PGA Championship and again when Tiger Woods won that tournament in 2000. But he didn't stay as long for the second one and for good reason.
"We watched like the first seven or eight holes, and the crowds got crazy and we drove home and finished watching it on TV," he said.
Holmes felt like a rock star when he played on the 2008 Ryder Cup, smashing tee shots on the range so far they reached the stage for the opening ceremonies. Holmes was unbeaten in his three matches, a rare U.S. victory.
And this year? He already has won on the PGA Tour this year at Quail Hollow. Could he imagine himself winning a major in his home state?
"That's always the goal that I work hard to do and practice and everything else to be able to get in contention in majors, and hopefully win," Holmes said. "So to be able to do it in a special place like this, I already have great memories here. That would be awesome. Hopefully, the good memories I have, I can just take those with me when I go on the golf course and be more comfortable and just enjoy being here."
Wishful thinking
The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to sign quarterback Andy Dalton to a six-year, $115 million deal, according to ESPN.
"The exact breakdown of the contract has not been revealed," wrote Reggie Hayes of The News-Sentinel of Fort Wayne, Ind., "but sources believe it includes $3 million based on past performance and $112 million based on Bengals front office finger-crossing."
Royal treatment
A South Korean man who has been a Kansas City Royals fan since the 1990s has finally made a trip to the city, where his weeklong itinerary includes five games at Kauffman Stadium, including on Monday when he is scheduled to throw out the first pitch.
Sung Woo Lee arrived from Seoul on Tuesday and was met by welcoming Royals fans who have been communicating with him on Twitter for years and urged him to make the trip.
He also was met by a horde of camera crews, fellow fans and curious bystanders who cheered as he made his way through the gate wearing a Royals jersey.
"It's surreal and overwhelming to be here," Lee said. "I didn't expect the crowd and media like this. I'm not sure I deserve it, but I'm really happy to come here to Kansas City and see some Royals games in person."
The schedule for his stay includes the Royals games; a Kansas City Chiefs preseason game; a trip to Springdale, to see the Royals' Class AA affiliate Northwest Arkansas Naturals; and, perhaps the biggest highlight, throwing out the first pitch Monday at Kauffman Stadium before the game with the Oakland A's.
It's not easy to watch every Royals game, Lee said, because the weekday night games often are on while he's working. On weekends, he wakes up in the middle of the night to watch.
"Once I knew the Royals' history, I liked the team more and more and I believe they're going to be a winner," he said.
Sports quiz
What is J.B. Holmes' best finish in a golf major?
Sports answer
Holmes finished in a tie for 14th in the 2010 British Open.
Sports on 08/07/2014