Max Homa’s Crucial Week: Driving Towards Victory at the 3M Open
BLAINE, Minn. — As the tension mounts at TPC Twin Cities, all eyes are on Max Homa, a player who desperately needs a win this week. While winning is a universal goal in professional golf, Homa has unique circumstances pushing him to perform at his best. As he candidly shared after his opening round, "My wife’s pregnant, and I need to go home.”
The Pressures of Upcoming Fatherhood
For Homa, the next few weeks are not just about golf; they’re also about family. With his wife expecting their child in about two weeks, Homa feels the pressing need to secure a positive outcome this week. Following a first-round score of 66, which placed him tied for 18th and six shots off the lead, he knows that urgency intensifies his performance. "It’s a little extra stressful," he admitted, acknowledging that the mental state required to win a tournament can be paradoxical: “The only way that you can go out and win is by not exactly trying to win."
FedEx Cup Playoffs on the Horizon
Homa’s situation is complicated further by his current standing in the FedEx Cup points race. With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, he finds himself ranked 102nd in the standings, in danger of missing out on the playoffs. He is exempt from losing his PGA Tour card until 2028, but he must finish in the top 70 to qualify for the FedEx St. Jude Championship and begin his playoff journey. This urgency adds a layer of pressure that amplifies his need for victory in both the 3M Open and next week’s Wyndham Championship.
Planning Ahead: A Win Would Simplify Things
As Homa continues to navigate his goals for the week, he also expresses a clear desire to head home immediately after the tournament, should he secure that all-important win. “A victory would make life that much easier—winless streak snapped, playoff spot secured, and flight home booked,” he noted, potentially allowing him to skip a stop in North Carolina for the Wyndham Championship.
The Tension of Personal Life vs. Professional Ambitions
Notably, Homa’s focus on the family extends beyond just the upcoming birth. Last week, during the Barracuda Championship, he revealed he received multiple missed calls from his wife, who is due in early August. The ensuing anxiety prompted him to admit, “I can’t handle the stress right now,” highlighting the delicate balance he walks between personal life and professional aspirations.
A Solid Start: No Bogeys, Perfect Greens
Thursday’s performance set him up well, including an impressive record of not making any bogeys and hitting every green in regulation. This marked the first time in his career that he managed to record 18 greens in regulation in a single round—a significant milestone. Homa showcased his talent on the front nine, making birdies on two of the last three holes, finishing with a solid putt from 11 feet to conclude his round.
Reflecting on Performance: A Mixed Bag of Emotions
After the round, Homa offered mixed sentiments about his performance. "I played awesome, probably the worst I could have shot,” he stated, recognizing that while his ball striking was exceptional, his putting needed improvement. “Rolled it fine, just couldn’t really make a lot of putts," he explained. This insight illustrates the mental game of golf, where confidence can sometimes clash with reality.
The Field is Competitive: Staying Ahead
Looking forward, Homa acknowledges the potential challenges posed by his competitors. "I know what I need to do; I need to play unbelievably," he remarked, emphasizing the level of play required at TPC Twin Cities, particularly in an environment where low scoring is the norm. The tournament landscape offers no room for complacency, and he plans to maintain his current strategic approach.
An Up-and-Down Season: The Road to Recovery
2023 has been a mixed bag for Homa, especially after experiencing a two-win season last year. His recent performance reveals a struggle: having made 10 of 18 cuts and only one top-10 finish this year. He found himself absent from the U.S. Open and The Open Championship for the first time in six years, which only adds to the necessity of securing a win before the season concludes.
Final Thoughts: The Road Ahead
Homa’s final days before his wife’s due date and the FedEx Cup playoffs will be critical. As he attempts to balance the pressures of becoming a father and accomplishing his professional milestones, one thing remains clear: his passion for golf and commitment to his family drive him forward. “Just got to keep doing what I’m doing,” Homa remarked, showcasing not only his optimism but also an understanding of the challenges ahead. As he pushes through the next rounds, both his family and golf fans will be rooting for him, hoping for a memorable finish to an intense week.
Through strategic play at TPC Twin Cities, Homa has a pivotal opportunity to cement his place in the playoffs and fulfill his personal aspiration of becoming a father—something that could provide him with both closure and a new beginning in a matter of weeks.
