Holmes happy to be back in the swing after brain surgery

With a piece of his skull at home as a constant reminder of what he has been through, former Ryder Cup player JB Holmes resumes his career at Torrey Pines today.

Holmes, a member of America’s winning team in Louisville four years ago, underwent brain surgery in September and then was air-lifted back to hospital a month later after suffering an allergic reaction.

His return to action comes at the Farmers Insurance Open, where the field includes Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and England’s Justin Rose in his first appearance since becoming a father for the second time.

Holmes, out since he withdrew from the USPGA Championship in August with vertigo-like symptoms, was found to have Chiari malformations, structural defects in the part of the brain which controls balance.

“It feels like it’s been forever, but I’m just happy to be back,” the 29-year-old said. “I’ve been working pretty hard the last few weeks and I’m ready to see how it goes.”

He started feeling ill in May and went to a succession of doctors without success before one proposed an operation.

“The surgery went well, then about a month later I started getting fluid around the scar and got real sick. I ended up being allergic to the glue (used to fix a titanium plate) and a stitch came loose.

Looking back on the whole episode in his life Holmes said: “It’s scary at first. I got to the hospital, started putting on the gown and it was like ‘Wow, I’m about to have brain surgery’. It really hits you then.”

As for the piece of skull taken out he added: “I’ve got it in my closet on the ledge of a window and see it every day. It’s not really a souvenir. I asked the guy if I could have it because I grew it, so I figured I may as well keep it. It’s just a reminder that I’m very fortunate to be able to go through something like that and be able to come back and play.”

Meanwhile it will surprise people to hear that Luke Donald is trying out new clubs after the year he has just had.

But England’s world number one is determined to make 2012 even better, with a first major, of course, top of his wish list – as it is for second-ranked Lee Westwood.

“This seemed like the perfect week to try some new stuff,” said Donald, although he has anything but a low-key start to the season.

He goes head to head with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy – the two highest-profile players in golf at the moment – in the first two rounds of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

“I’m not one to change and tinker too much, but the times when I do are usually at the beginning of a season.”