Fortinet Cup, Week 9: John Keefer keeps charging, Ian Holt moves just outside top 10

At 5-under through six holes in a final round that got canceled, John Keefer had Ian Holt under pressure Sunday at the Explore NB Open. The outright leader by four strokes after back-to-back 62s, Holt was suddenly ahead by only one. The weather got in the way and due to unplayable conditions the round was halted, and the final standings were reverted to the scores through 54 holes.

“It’s a shame that we didn't get to battle it out for the rest of the day, but I'll take it,” said the 28-year-old Holt after claiming a win that left him only 30 points outside of the Fortinet Cup top 10.

The solo second finish was Keefer’s third top-five and his second consecutive runner-up finish. The Baylor University alum was coming off a two-way tie for second at the ATB Classic and a tie for fifth on his PGA TOUR Americas debut at The Beachlands Victoria Open presented by Times Colonist.

Among the 2024 PGA TOUR University alums who joined PGA TOUR Americas for the North America Swing only four weeks ago, Keefer only trails Tour No. 1 Frederik Kjettrup, who opened this portion of the season with back-to-back wins. Kjettrup slowed down a bit this past week but remains atop the standings by 61 points.

The following is a look at the Fortinet Cup’s top 10 players and the one who made the most significant move in week 9 of the 16-week season:

1. Frederik Kjettrup, Denmark

Fortinet Cup Points: 1,008
Last week’s rank: First
Best finish this season: Won The Beachlands Victoria Open presented by Times Colonist and the ATB Classic

You can’t win them all. After back-to-back wins to start his PGA TOUR Americas career, Frederik Kjettrup’s winning streak is over. His chances of a third consecutive win remained a possibility after an opening 65 at the Explore NB Open, but he faded away with rounds of 68-70 to tie for 49th and take a break from the spotlight.

2. Matthew Anderson, Canada

Fortinet Cup Points: 947
Last week’s rank: Second
Best finish this season: Won the ECP Brazil Open

The week off after consecutive missed cuts in Victoria and Edmonton proved helpful. He made it to Fredericton, Canada, showcasing a new putting technique that produced three strong rounds of 64-65-67 for a tie for seventh. His fourth top 10 of the season earned him 80 Fortinet Cup points that shortened Frederik Kjettrup’s lead over him from 133 points to only 61.

3. Clay Feagler, United States

Fortinet Cup Points: 866
Last week’s rank: Third
Best finish this season: Won the Bupa Championship at Tulum

In a tie for second after a 64-63 start at the Explore NB Open, Feagler slowed down just a bit for a third-round 68 and a tie for fourth finish. With his second top-four in his last three starts, he moved within 142 points off the Fortinet Cup lead.

4. Harry Hillier, New Zealand

Fortinet Cup Points: 757
Last week’s rank: Fourth
Best finish this season: Won the Inter Rapidísimo Golf Championship

He put together three rounds of 67 to tie for 38th in Fredericton and remains the PGA TOUR America leader in total birdies with 134.

5. Samuel Anderson, United States

Fortinet Cup Points: 669
Last week’s rank: Eighth
Best finish this season: Solo second at the Diners Club Perú Open

One of five co-leaders after an opening 63, Anderson tied for seventh in Fredericton for his second top-10 in three weeks. The 80 points collected allowed him to move from eighth to fifth in the Fortinet Cup standings.

6. José de Jesús Rodríguez, Mexico

Fortinet Cup Points: 661
Last week’s rank: Fifth
Best finish this season: Won the Totalplay Championship at Tulum

Family comes first for El Camarón. The leading Latin player on Tour skipped the Explore NB Open to attend the high school graduation of his son, José de Jesús Jr., back home in Irapuato, Mexico. He’ll be back on Tour this week in Quebec.

7. John Keefer, United States

Fortinet Cup Points: 650
Last week’s rank: 15th
Best finish this season: Tied for second at the ATB Classic

Following back-to-back runner-up finishes for three top-five placements in as many starts, Keefer is arguably the hottest player on PGA TOUR Americas. Advancing from 15th to seventh in the Fortinet Cup, he is also the highest-ranked player without a win this season.

8. Stuart Macdonald, Canada

Fortinet Cup Points: 634
Last week’s rank: Sixth
Best finish this season: Won the Diners Club Perú Open

Two double bogeys proved costly at Mactaquac Golf Course, where he shot 6-under to miss the cut by one stroke.

9. Thomas Longbella, United States

Fortinet Cup Points: 628
Last week’s rank: Seventh
Best finish this season: Won the Kia Open

A wrist injury slowed him down in Fredericton, where he had to withdraw during the second round. That injury will keep him from playing this week in Bromont, Quebec.

10. Conner Godsey, United States

Fortinet Cup Points: 597
Last week’s rank: Ninth
Best finish this season: Tied for second at the ECP Brazil Open

The consistent Godsey finished the Explore NB Open in a tie for 18th to make his seventh consecutive cut of the season. In that stretch, he has finished outside the top 20 only once.

Most significant move outside the top 10

11. Ian Holt, United States

Fortinet Cup Points: 567
Last week’s rank: 96th
Best finish this season: Won the Explore NB Open

Following an opening 63 with back-to-back 62s, Holt proved a deserving winner at the Explore NB Open, which had its final round canceled on Sunday. He shot 26-under while recording 26 birdies and no bogeys. The 54-hole victory at Mactaquac Golf Course was his first in six seasons as a professional. A gain of 85 spots in the Fortinet Cup now places him 11th, only 30 points outside the top-10.

Next stop:

PGA TOUR Americas is playing the Bromont Open presented by Desjardins this week (July 18-21). The 10th event of the season will be hosted by Golf Château-Bromont in Bromont, Quebec.