AUGUSTA, Ga. — “Come on, dude.”
What else could he say? Max Homa’s been up against it, after all. He’s missed five straight cuts. He’s working on his swing. This week, he shared he’s parted ways with longtime caddie and friend, Joe Greiner. In these times, the bad somehow finds ways to multiply.
Even things completely out of your control.
Like the scene on Thursday, to the left of Augusta National’s 8th hole, and on the center of it.
Before that point during the Masters first round, Homa had been playing fairly. He was even par. Two birdies. Two bogeys. Three pars. From the 8th tee, he then strayed left, and his ball settled among the trees. But Homa had about a 5-yard-wide window. There was a tree about 15 yards in front of him and to his right. There was a collection of trees about 40 yards in front of him and to his left. Also to his left were about 25 patrons, including one holding a green Crow’s Nest beer cup.
Standing over his ball, Homa looked up twice. He was good. He hit. His ball escaped. Watching from the right side of the fairway were playing partner Justin Rose and his caddie, Mark Fulcher. Watching about 150 yards ahead in the fairway was a fairway marshall, dressed in the traditional all-white outfit and holding a tall yellow flag to help direct traffic.
Then the marshal turned around. But Homa’s ball wasn’t done traveling. It took one bounce and struck the man just above his backside, sending the ball to the left instead of forward.
And Homa shouted the three words at the top of this article. They were directed at the man. Given Homa’s current plight, they could’ve been directed at the gods of the sport.
From there, the man buckled a bit, then he walked over to the ball. Homa, meanwhile, hit stroke three to 76 feet from 180 yards out, and he two-putted for par. Ten holes later, he signed for a two-over 74.
Friday, Homa returned for round two. Earlier in the week, the six-time PGA Tour winner said he was hopeful for a turnaround.
“Yeah, I don’t really know how to explain it,” Homa said. “I’ve never really gone through something like this where it’s really good and then I’ll get on a Thursday and doesn’t really feel bad, it just isn’t good.
“Results have been awful. I haven’t putted well this year, either. It’s just not helping. But so much attention has been to just the big stuff so that’s been hard.
“But, yeah, I mean it’s not like far off. I hit the ball, when I’m going good on the range or at home, I’m hitting it better than I can ever hit it. I’m shaping shots better than I ever shaped ’em. Do everything like great. Just still not used to certain misses. Still react to certain lies and things on the course. It’s not like the range. When I get in a rhythm, it seems to be the issue is hitting one at a time, waiting in between, different lies, different wind, different pins.
“But been doing everything we can. Just hasn’t clicked yet.”
