LA JOLLA, Calif. — Final week’s WM Phoenix Open was purported to mark a turning level for Max Homa, who has struggled on the golf course since final yr’s Masters. But, he felt one thing — maybe hope — on the driving vary at TPC Scottsdale throughout Tuesday’s follow spherical. He even hugged his crew in celebration afterward, feeling optimistic about his possibilities at ‘The Folks’s Open.’
Homa then missed the minimize by 5, due to a 5-over 76 he carded on Thursday.
“That’s what’s so odd about final week is that it’s one of the best I swung the golf membership like probably — that is going to sound loopy, however probably ever,” Homa mentioned.
“It’s one of the best I’ve pushed — like as simple as I may think about or I may keep in mind ever hitting a driver… I do know this all sounds hilarious to individuals as a result of it’s been so dangerous and I missed the minimize by 5, however like I used to be like actually enthusiastic about final week. It was a disgrace I didn’t get two extra rounds underneath my belt simply to maintain doing it.”
After posting a 2-under 69 on Friday, through which he regarded extra just like the Ryder Cup star that shined in Rome, Homa went to his residence in Scottsdale feeling slightly down on his luck. However true to his nature, he bought up the following morning and returned to the golf course to work on his swing. He grinded all day on the driving vary, working along with his coach and caddie. He was exhausted afterward, and on the drive again residence that night, Homa thought, ‘That subsequent win will really feel higher than any win has felt earlier than.’
The following day, Tremendous Bowl Sunday, Homa, like 130 million different People, watched the Philadelphia Eagles steamroll the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Quarterback Jalen Hurts received MVP honors, and after the sport, Hurts delivered a line that caught with Homa.
“I heard an ideal Jalen Hurts quote the place he mentioned, ‘I’ve had goal lengthy earlier than anyone had an opinion about it,’” Homa defined.
“It simply made me understand that regardless of the rating is trying to these on the surface, like final week [in Phoenix], it will by no means make sense to anyone except you’re a part of my tiny little [team]; you’d by no means suppose that we made progress. It will appear like one other form of Crimson-X on the yr. That will likely be a significant stepping stone and one thing we’ll all look again on.”
Now Homa returns to the South Course at Torrey Pines, the place he didn’t fare properly on the Farmers Insurance coverage Open three weeks in the past. He withdrew after opening with a 5-over 77, which included a career-worst nine-hole rating on the entrance facet.
But when there’s somebody who is aware of about feeling relegated on the most important of phases, it’s Hurts. Tua Tagovaiola changed him within the 2018 Nationwide Championship sport and watched him lead Alabama previous Georgia in additional time. Maybe Homa can discover solace in that story this week and going ahead. But, it doesn’t matter what occurs, Homa is working as arduous as ever to return to the top-10 participant he has the potential to be.
“I’m fairly powerful in the case of these things. I’ve gone by means of this a lot worse earlier than the place the outcomes weren’t coming. I positively have my low days. I’ve been extremely pissed off since April,” Homa mentioned.
“I discover satisfaction in waking up after a tough day and having the power to go get higher. So I do suppose on the finish of all my days, and I’d assume most individuals would suppose this fashion about themselves, in no matter stroll of life you’re in, no matter job you’ve gotten. But when I by no means have one other good end result once more, that might be a large bummer, however I may relaxation simple; perhaps in a number of years, I may relaxation simple understanding I’m doing completely every thing I probably can to try this. I’ve all the time been fairly happy with my work ethic; I feel that’s why I’m right here. I feel it’s my highest quality and has been ramped up a couple of thousand notches.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. Comply with him on X @jack_milko.
