JB Holmes took full advantage of Justin Thomas’ final round struggles to return to the winner’s circle at the Genesis Open on Sunday.

It was a 1-2 for Kentucky as Thomas’ mentor erased a four-shot deficit on a gruelling final day at Riviera Country Club which saw the leaders play 33-plus holes.

Holmes’ final round 70 was five better than Thomas as the elder statesmen won for the first time since the 2015 Houston Open.

“It’s a huge win,” said Holmes, who took the lead for the third and final time after a 12-foot par at the 13th. The hole knocked the wind out of JT’s sails as he four-putted for double bogey.

“Two three-putts and a four-putt on my back nine,” Thomas said after signing for a four-over 75 for 271.  “The third putt on 13, I could feel the wind coming and I got scared so I tried to hit it harder — and I did hit it harder and that’s why I missed it.”

Holmes was still one ahead when he drained an 11-footer to save par after finding a bunker at 16 — part of his march home with seven straight pars.

“He played great,” Thomas said. “But it’s always a bummer to hand him a tournament. I feel like I should have won that thing.”

Holmes and Thomas have a long history which goes back to the latter being given inside the ropes access while still a junior golfer.

On Sunday, thought the student was not able to master the difficult conditions as his mentor controlled his own destiny.

South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli finished with a 68 for a share of 28th place.

Final leaderboard:

270 – JB Holmes 63-69-68-70

271 – Justin Thomas 66-65-65-75

272 – Kim Si-woo (KOR) 68-70-68-66

273 – Marc Leishman (AUS) 69-69-67-68, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 72-63-69-69

275 – Charles Howell 69-69-68-69

276 – Michael Thompson 69-64-73-70, Adam Scott (AUS) 66-65-69-76

277 – Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 71-69-70-67, Carlos Ortiz (MEX) 67-72-69-69, Dustin Johnson 73-66-69-69, Kelly Kraft 69-68-69-71, Jon Rahm (ESP) 67-70-69-71, Vaughn Taylor 67-69-74-67