CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Max Homa reignited his championship aspirations with a remarkable performance during the PGA Championship, showcasing resilience amidst a tough season on the PGA Tour.
Homa began his tournament journey on Friday aiming to break through after a string of disappointing finishes. Having missed the cut in five consecutive tournaments, his previous major outing at the Masters saw him narrowly missing a top-10 finish. However, on this day, everything fell into place for the California native as he shot an incredible 64, propelling himself into contention.
Starting on No. 10, Homa dominated the back nine at Quail Hollow, registering a staggering 6-under 30. His performance not only marked his lowest round in a major by three shots, but also left him at a commanding 5 under for the tournament. “I mean, I was told for a long time I couldn’t play a major,” Homa reflected. “So now all of a sudden I’m being asked about why I play well only in majors. I don’t really have an answer for that one.” The golfer acknowledged the shift in expectations but maintained a light-hearted attitude, adding, “it’s just golf, I guess.”
Homa’s day was characterized by a rare mix of precision and luck, a combination that often drives success in golf. Even near misses turned into pleasant surprises, such as on the par-4 14th hole. After just clearing the trees to the left of the fairway, Homa's ball found the green and rolled within two feet of the hole for a tap-in eagle. “That was one of the rare occasions in golf where as the further you walk up to the green, the closer it got,” he noted.
When reflecting on the impressive shot, Homa maintained a humble perspective, jokingly stating, “I was aiming one yard inside the right bunker, so I toed it like the perfect amount.” While admitting he was slightly anxious about the trajectory, he recognized, “you don’t hit it there intentionally unless you’re Scottie (Scheffler) or something.”
Looking ahead, Homa faced the pressure of needing to finish in the top four to avoid qualifying for the U.S. Open next month. Yet, he is no stranger to rising to the occasion, having recently secured a tie for 12th at the Masters, a feat he achieved with a sense of relief but little confidence. “It felt like I did that with ‘smoke and mirrors,’” he said.
To combat his prior struggles, Homa has made extensive changes, including a new swing coach, a different driver, and a fresh caddy, contributing to a resurgence in his performance. Despite a lackluster finish in his last starts — placing 70th at the RBC Heritage and tying for 30th at the Truist Championship — Homa often surges when the stakes are higher.
“It’s been difficult because I felt like I was so broken,” the 34-year-old admitted, entering the week ranked 78th globally. Nevertheless, the hard work is beginning to pay dividends, and Homa is setting his sights on an elusive first major championship victory.
As he prepares for the next 36 holes, Homa carries a sense of comfort at Quail Hollow, a course where he previously celebrated victory at the Wells Fargo Championship in 2019. “You come someplace where you know kind of what you’re going to do all day on pretty much every pin,” he stated. “I think that helps a lot, especially as I started to feel really good.” The familiar terrain appears pivotal as he aims for continued success in a major setting — a place where he has always thrived.
With the tournament progressing, Homa is aware that fortuitous strokes and unwavering focus will be necessary to capitalize on his current momentum. The stage is set for him to transform a promising start into a major breakthrough, reflecting the determined spirit that has characterized his career thus far.