Max Homa's PGA Tour Resurgence: Is He Back on Track?

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From The Smylie Kaufman Show

Assessing Max Homa's Current Performance and Potential Resurgence

Max Homa's recent performance dove into a top 20 finish this week, exhibiting signs of potential resurgence, albeit with some ongoing challenges. Reuniting with coach Mark Blackburn appears to be aiding Homa as he seeks to regain consistent form. Although he faced struggles, particularly with his putting during the initial rounds, his resilience and mental fortitude, as previously discussed on the show with Blackburn, are becoming evident.

Homa's difficulties were especially pronounced in the opening round, where he and Ryan Gerrard both grappled significantly on the greens, with Homa struggling with the speed amidst windy conditions and crusty greens. Despite these issues, he demonstrated improvement in his putting throughout the remainder of the week. Yet, the mastery over his irons, a hallmark of top-level play, still eludes him partially. Persistent left misses suggest a lack of trust in executing cuts, an issue he and Blackburn are actively addressing.

The transition from a technique that was too out-to-end, limiting him to playing cuts, to a more neutral approach is ongoing. While there are moments of brilliance, Homa is yet to restore his elite status as an iron player, a crucial element for triumphing at high-stakes venues like Bay Hill or The Players Championship. It's proposed that a breakthrough in ball striking at these challenging courses could catalyze a significant upturn in his performance. Ultimately, consistent top-20 finishes seem within reach for Homa, providing a platform for possibly returning to the top echelons of the sport.