Max Homa returns to South Africa for the Nedbank Golf Challenge and finds himself in a familiar position.
Homa, which won the tournament last year at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, was at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the first day. He shot a 6-under 66 in a round that included eight birdies, two bogeys and many hole putts. Homa picked up where he left off. Birdie on the first 3 holes To get off to a strong start. He showed his presence by getting birdies on the 6th and 9th holes to score 5 under par and 31.
But around the halfway point of the round, the wind completely changed direction and, as he described it, “completely went all the way around him.” Bogeys followed on the 13th and 15th holes, the latter due to a yardage calculation error by him and his caddy.
After a two-putt par on the par-3 16th, Homa couldn't have played any better on the unorthodox 17th and 18th holes. He hit the fairway from both tees, something he struggled with throughout 2024, but then kept his approaches within 11 feet both times. After that, both putts landed in the bottom of the cup, leaving him in first place with a one-stroke lead over South Africa's Ocky Strydom.
“I hadn’t played a tournament in a while, so it felt really good and I’ve been working on a lot of new things, so it was great to come out and get a birdie on the first three holes,” Homa said. Ta.
“The way I did it felt good and the golf swing was very comfortable for the most part, so [this round] It's definitely unforgettable for me, that's for sure. ”
Homa hasn't played since late October, when he finished tied for 27th at the ZOZO Championship in Japan. His best finish in his previous 10 starts was T-22 at Memorial. He also missed two cuts during that stretch.
Homa hasn't won as a professional since winning this tournament last year, so 2024 has been more of a struggle than success. This reality helps explain why Homa was so happy to leave the golf course Thursday.
“The way I carried the ball all season was terrible and when you come to a golf course like this, you can't fool the ball off the tee. You have to hit a good tee shot and when the wind blows, you can't fool the ball. It's going to be uncomfortable, so obviously you want to come here and win, but I'm just trying to prepare for next season and take some of the work I've done.” said Homa.
“So just having something to take with me when I go home is a big deal, so I’m just really happy about that.”
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
