AMERICAN rookie JB Holmes has revealed why he dropped his first name — because he was fed up of being confused with infamous porn star John Holmes.

The Kentucky ace’s cause was not helped by the fact he is such a monster hitter — averaging over 310 yards off the tee — he was dubbed Long John’.

The other John Holmes was the inspiration for the hit film Boogie Nights and boasted he had a large manhood, and had slept with 14,000 women — although ‘official’ estimates put the number closer to 3,000.

Namesake Holmes, 26, who will make his Ryder Cup debut in his home state , said: “I’ve had to put up with that all my life.

“I didn’t even know who John Holmes was at first. But I soon figured it out after people started calling me a porn star.

“When I was playing high school golf I used to get it all the time, with people either trying to wind me up or have a laugh at my expense.

“I got tired of it pretty quickly — but other people didn’t.”

Things started to change when Holmes’ agent arranged for him to play a practice round with Gary McCord, the former US Tour professional who is now a top broadcaster.

McCord is no blushing violet himself when it comes to sexual innuendo — he was once banned from Augusta after claiming the super-slick Masters greens had been “bikini-waxed”.

Holmes added: “My agent set up that practice round and after eight or nine holes Gary turned to me and said ‘You know what, I’m just going to call you JB from now on.’

“Thankfully, it stuck, and that’s what everyone calls me now.”