Celebrated six-time PGA Tour victor, Max Homa, has found himself in the crosshairs of public scrutiny following a disappointing performance at Bay Hill and a candid social media confession. Homa, who was once a household name on the greens, has been struggling to regain his winning streak after a triumphant 2023 season, which saw him clinch three victories, including the coveted DP World Tour.
His career trajectory took a downward turn post-2023, with only a handful of top-10 finishes to his name. His best performance this year so far was a lackluster T26 at The Sentry and T14 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge. After failing to make the cut at the Phoenix Open, Homa admitted, “Golf does not like me at the moment,” expressing his frustration at his recent lack of form.
The 34-year-old American golfer managed to stay in the spotlight, not for his prowess on the course, but his acerbic wit on social media app, X. Known for his humorous takedowns of golf swings shared by fans and celebrities alike, Homa amassed a following of over 600,000. His humorous critiques extended to LPGA host Hope Barnett, who received a memorable response to her golf swing video: “Is ur middle name Less?” However, Homa recently startled his followers by announcing his departure from the app, citing his dislike for it as the reason.
His decision to quit the app was met with disappointment and bewilderment by his fans, who loved his candid and humorous commentary. The shock of his departure was soon overshadowed by his underwhelming performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational (65). The attention swiftly shifted to his on-course struggles.
Christopher Powers, a journalist for Golf Digest, highlighted Homa’s performance decline since his impressive run at the 2024 Masters, where he was tied for the lead after 36 holes but ended up in a disappointing T-3 position. Powers’ tweet detailing Homa’s recent placings in tournaments, concluding with a dismal +5 at Bay Hill, sparked a wave of critical comments from fans.
The reactions from golf enthusiasts were harsh, with one user lumping Homa together with Cameron Young and Im Sung-jae, calling them all “frauds”. Young and Im Sung-jae also underperformed at the Arnold Palmer, scoring 50 and T28 respectively.
Another fan pointed out Homa’s surprising inclusion in the Presidents Cup team, despite his lackluster performance. Homa defended his selection, citing his experience and past performance under pressure. Despite his optimism, Homa’s performance in the Presidents Cup was far from perfect, losing his first two matches before salvaging some pride with a win over Mackenzie Hughes.
A significant number of fans seem to believe that Homa’s fortune changed after his 2024 Masters performance, where he called himself a “dog” and expressed gratitude for his opportunity. His form since then has been less than impressive, leading to suggestions that his Masters performance “broke” him.
Last year’s Masters Tournament was particularly hard on Homa. He managed to keep his composure through the 10th and 11th holes, but his tee shot at the 12th hole disappeared into a bush, forcing him to take an unplayable lie. This led to a double bogey and dashed his hopes of a comeback.
With the 2025 season still underway, fans and critics alike are keen to see whether Homa can turn his fortunes around. His journey will undoubtedly be closely followed, on and off the course, as he tries to regain his former glory.
