LA JOLA, CA – Last week's WM Phoenix Open was to mark a turning point for Max Homa, who has struggled on the golf course since last year's Masters. However, he felt something in the driving range of TPC Scottsdale during Tuesday's practice round. He then felt optimistic about his chances in “The People's Open,” and hugged the team at the celebration.
Homa then missed five cuts thanks to a 5-over 76 that he had a card on Thursday.
“The very strange thing about last week is that it is the best thing that potentially rocked golf clubs.
“It's the best thing I've driven. I could remember hitting the driver, just as easy as I could imagine… I heard this sound so hilarious to people I was really excited last week. It was a shame I didn't get another two rounds under my belt just to continue doing that.”
After posting a 2-under 69 on Friday, he looked like a star of the Ryder Cup in Rome, then Homa felt his luck rather than anything and went to his home in Scottsdale. But faithful to his nature, he woke up the next morning and returned to the golf course to tackle his swing. He smashed it all day in driving range and worked with his coach and caddy. He was exhausted afterwards, and on the drive home that night, Homa thought, “The next victory would make him feel better than his previous victory.”
The next day, Super Bowl Sunday, Homa, like 130 million other Americans, Philadelphia Eagles Steamroll Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Jalen Hurts earned MVP honors and after the game, Hurts delivered a line pasted to Homa.
“I heard the great Jalane hurt the quote and say, 'There was a purpose to what someone would say about it,'' Homa explained.
“Whatever the score is looking at outsiders like last week, I realized [in Phoenix]unless you're part of my tiny little thing, it doesn't make sense to anyone [team];You don't think we've made progress. This year it looks like a different kind of Red-X. It's a major stepping stone and something we look back at. ”
Now Homa returns to the South Course at Torrey Pines and has not been successful with open-open farmers insurance three weeks ago. He retreated after opening at 5 over 77.
But if someone knows they feel demoted at the biggest stage, that hurts. Tua Tagovaiola replaced him in the 2018 National Championship Game and saw him lead Alabama past Georgia in overtime. Perhaps Homa can find comfort in that story this week. But no matter what happens, Homa is still working hard as ever to return to the top 10 players he has the potential.
“I'm very hard on this. I made this much worse before the results weren't coming. I definitely have my low day. I've been from April. It's been incredibly frustrating,” Homa said.
“I take pride in having the energy to wake up and improve after a fierce day. So I think at the end of every day of my day, and I think most people are yourself I think in any course you are, any job you have, you will think this way about yourself. But if I never get another good result again, it's a massive disappointment But I was able to rest easily. Maybe a few years later, I was able to rest easily, knowing that I absolutely do what I can to do to do it. I always I'm very proud of my work ethic. I think that's why I'm here. It's my best quality and I think it's been increasing to around 1000 notches. ”
Jack Mirco is a golf staff writer who plays SB Nation. Follow him with x @jack_milko.
