J.B. Holmes Withdraws from the Barclays, Will Have Brain Surgery on Thursday

J.B. Holmes has officially withdrawn from the Barclays due to a brain condition that will require surgery on Thursday, September 1.

Holmes had been experiencing vertigo-like symptoms since the Players Championship in May and after seeing numerous specialist he was eventually diagnosed with Chiari malformations, a structural defect in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance.

Holmes began the year with 10 consecutive made cuts and three top-five finishes.  He even managed to post a T-6 at the Players Championship despite the onset of his symptoms.

However, following the Players Championship Holmes best finish was a T-47 at the AT&T National. In his last three starts, Holmes has missed two cuts and withdrew from the PGA Championship after an opening round 80.

Holmes, 29, is undergoing pre-op tests near his home in Louisville, Ky. this week before making the trip to The John Hopkins University Hospital, where he will undergo surgery on Thursday.

Although any form of brain surgery is serious business, Holmes is expected to make a full recovery within 90 days. Holmes has been told that post-op, he can begin chipping and putting within 30 days, hitting full shots and playing within 60 days and can return to competition within 90 days.

“I know when people hear ‘brain surgery’ it conjures up all kinds images, but this a relatively low-risk surgery and only takes about an hour and a half," Holmes said.

Best of all, there’s a very high success rate in fixing the condition.  It’s just such a relief to know that there’s a name for what I’ve been going through these past few months and that I have a good chance of getting back to golf and to my regular life."

The eyes of the golf world may be on Plainfield Country Club this week for the start of the 2011 FedEx Cup Playofffs, but the thoughts and prayers of many will be with Holmes.

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