Close Calls
Masters 2024: Max Homa won't feel great on Monday morning—but not for the reason you think
J.D. Cuban
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Max Homa picked up his son, Cam, gave him a big hug, and handed him a golf club out of his bag. All smilles after a pressure-packed Sunday at the Masters, it was a masterclass in perspective. But moments later when Homa met with the media, it was clear this was a man pleased with his performance.
Sure, Homa was disappointed he didn't win the Masters. And he admitted being disappointed in the bad break that ended his chances of slipping on a green jacket. But the fact that he was in contention for most of the day marked a big step in the evolution of one of the PGA Tour's most popular players. And after staying in the mix for most of the day, the 33-year-old didn't have a hard time finding positives.
"I thought I handled myself great, didn't make any putts, really didn't feel like I blinked," Homa said.
Playing in Sunday's penultimate group, the six-time PGA Tour winner shot 35 on the front nine before sticking an approach to gimme range on No. 10 for a birdie to move to seven under. At that point, he trailed eventual winner Scottie Scheffler by one. A solid par on No. 11 kept him there, before his green jacket dreams were derailed on the treacherous 12th like so many before him.
Only this stumble didn't involve Rae's Creek. In fact, Homa says he hit a good shot.
"I had nothing backfire really, 12 is just hard," Homa said. "The wind isn't where it feels, where it's supposed to be. I hit it a foot to three feet left of where I'm looking, not trying to be perfect, just trying to hit it to the left center of that green. I was very proud of that. I didn't veer off of my game plan."
Unfortunately, it was Homa's ball that veered off the downslope behind the green and bounced into a patch of ivy. After taking an unplayable penalty, his third didn't find the putting surface and he walked away with double bogey. He added another bogey on 17 and no birdies to finish at four under and in a tie for third place.
"The honest answer is it didn't feel fair. I hit a really good golf shot, and it didn't feel fair. I've seen far worse just roll back down the hill," Homa said. "Yeah, the professional answer is these things happen."
Ben Walton
On the bright side, the T-3 was Homa's best finish at a major championship. Even better is that his only other top 10—a T-10 at last year's Open Championship—came in his previous start at a major.
"The rhetoric on me, and this is from myself, as well, is I have not performed in these things, and I performed for all four days," Homa said. "I didn't throw a 65 in there and sneak my way in. I had to sleep on this every single day, this feeling and kind of this monkey on my back."
Moments after opening up about what he called a "bittersweet" result, Homa had a big hug for someone else, winner Scottie Scheffler. And then, well, it was time to relax. Homa was asked how he thought he would feel on Monday and he responded with the type of fun answer we've come to expect from the King of Golf Twitter.
"I haven't drank in a really, really, really long time, but I've been planning it for Sunday after the Masters, so probably not great," Homa said with a laugh. "It'll be all right."
It sure will, Max. But it'll be even better if Cam sleeps in.
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