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 12 months’s Masters. But, he felt one thing — maybe hope — on the driving vary at TPC Scottsdale throughout Tuesday’s apply spherical. He even hugged his staff in celebration afterward, feeling optimistic about his possibilities at ‘The Individuals’s Open.’
Homa then missed the minimize by 5, because of a 5-over 76 he carded on Thursday.
“That’s what’s so odd about final week is that it’s the very best I swung the golf membership like probably — that is going to sound loopy, however probably ever,” Homa mentioned.
“It’s the very best I’ve pushed — like as straightforward 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 unhealthy 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, during which he appeared extra just like the Ryder Cup star that shined in Rome, Homa went to his house in Scottsdale feeling moderately down on his luck. However true to his nature, he obtained up the subsequent 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 house 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 awesome 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 seeking to these on the surface, like final week [in Phoenix], it might by no means make sense to anyone except you’re a part of my tiny little [team]; you’ll by no means suppose that we made progress. It could appear like one other sort of Pink-X on the 12 months. That shall be a serious 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 nicely 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 levels, it’s Hurts. Tua Tagovaiola changed him within the 2018 Nationwide Championship sport and watched him lead Alabama previous Georgia in extra 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 laborious as ever to return to the top-10 participant he has the potential to be.
“I’m fairly powerful on the subject of these items. I’ve gone by way of this a lot worse earlier than the place the outcomes weren’t coming. I undoubtedly have my low days. I’ve been extremely pissed off since April,” Homa mentioned.
“I discover pleasure in waking up after a tough day and having the vitality to go get higher. So I do suppose on the finish of all my days, and I might 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 outcome once more, that will be a large bummer, however I may relaxation straightforward; possibly in a couple of years, I may relaxation straightforward understanding I’m doing completely every thing I presumably can to do this. I’ve all the time been fairly pleased with my work ethic; I believe that’s why I’m right here. I believe it’s my very best quality and has been ramped up a couple of thousand notches.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By means of. Observe him on X @jack_milko.