Max Homa Optimistic Despite Slow Start to Season, Says His Swing Feels the Best It ‘Potentially Ever’ Has
Max Homa paused before speaking, aware that what he was about to say might seem illogical to an outsider.
Just days earlier, he had shot 76-69 at the WM Phoenix Open, missing the cut by five strokes. It seemed like yet another frustrating chapter in a disappointing stretch of performances. Yet, Homa viewed it differently. He saw it as a turning point.
“That’s what’s so odd about last week,” Homa said Tuesday at Torrey Pines ahead of The Genesis Invitational. “That’s the best I swung the golf club—potentially ever.”
While his recent results haven’t supported that claim, Homa remains convinced he’s improving. His driver, which had been a major struggle since last summer, felt more controlled and precise at TPC Scottsdale. The ball stayed on its intended line, giving him confidence even if his scores didn’t reflect the progress. NBC Sports analyst Smylie Kaufman, who followed Homa’s group in Phoenix, agreed, posting on X that he “couldn’t agree more.”
This optimism is a welcome shift for Homa, who has struggled over the last 10 months. Since finishing T3 at last year’s Masters, he has recorded just one top-20 finish and fallen to No. 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking—his lowest standing since February 2021. Despite flashes of strong play, such as a T8 at the Truist Championship and a solid Presidents Cup showing, his game hasn’t felt sustainable.
“Golf does not like me at the moment,” Homa admitted.
To address his struggles, Homa made significant changes. He parted ways with longtime coach Mark Blackburn last fall, briefly worked alone, and later teamed up with swing coach John Scott Rattan. Their focus has been on keeping his chest moving through impact. Additionally, Homa switched equipment manufacturers, moving from Titleist to Cobra.
So far, the results haven’t been immediate. He currently ranks 177th in Strokes Gained: Approach this season. He withdrew from Torrey Pines during a weather delay, finished 26th in a 59-man field at The Sentry, and placed 53rd in an 80-man field at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
“I’ve been incredibly frustrated since April,” Homa said. “But I take pride in waking up after a hard day and having the energy to get better.”
Homa’s struggles at the WM Phoenix Open were largely due to his iron play. Despite gaining strokes with his driver and putter, his opening-round 76 included four bogeys and a double-bogey. Kaufman suggested Homa’s iron struggles stemmed from being overly aggressive rather than making poor swings—another sign that his mechanics may be improving.
After missing the cut, Homa was back at the range on Saturday, working with Rattan and his caddie, Joe Greiner. Though frustrated by his lack of results, he remained committed to his process.
Reflecting on the grind, Homa found inspiration in a quote from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts: “I’ve had purpose long before anybody had an opinion about it.”
“That stuck with me,” Homa said. “Last week wouldn’t make sense to anyone unless you’re part of my team. But I think it’s going to be a major stepping stone—something we’ll all look back on.”
