Max Homa had a career season on the PGA Tour in 2023. Winning twice in the state of California, claiming his first major top 10 and starring on the U.S. Ryder Cup team, the fun-loving American has the world of golf at his disposal. This week at the DP World Tour’s Nedbank Challenge, the 32-year-old shot out to a share of the first-round lead with an opening 6-under 66.
“I watched tons of the then European Tour, now DP World Tour events, that I always wanted to play in,” Homa said Wednesday. “The way the schedule was previously on the PGA Tour, to come do this would be wild. You would have to battle jet lag to go play tournament to tournament.
“So, when I saw that there was a real offseason for us, I made it a point to play at least one over here,” he continued. “So, to be able to get a spot here [through an invitation] and have the opportunity to play has been a dream. I just think now going forward, being able to do more of this would be a priority just because we want to experience what golf at large has to offer. And this has been a pretty special week so far.”
Homa sits atop the leaderboard after his bogey-free effort alongside fellow Ryder Cup participant Nicolai Hojgaard, PGA Tour winner and recent Irish Open winner Vincent Norrman, and Dan Bradbury. The world No. 8 is the clear class of the bunch, but Homa’s quality will have to persist if he is to convert an 18-hole lead into his fifth victory in his last 51 starts worldwide.
There is no reason on paper to suggest it won’t otherwise. Homa entered his debut in Africa’s major riding a wave of form. He has not finished outside the top 21 on a leaderboard since June and claimed five straight top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour. He was also the lone bright spot for the losing American side at the 2023 Ryder Cup, where he garnered a 3-1-1 record.
Despite this, there was still one question mark in Homa’s mind: Rust. Nearly two months…
Source : cbssports
