Max Homa hoping to turn early-season struggles around, take next step

One of the most popular golfers on the PGA Tour is hoping he’ll turn some early-season struggles around as he looks to take the next big step in his career — while also being part of a TGL team gunning for a playoff spot.

Max Homa has been long-known by more than just golf fans, as his part-comedian, part-therapist, part-everyman X (formerly Twitter) account is chock-full of fun clicks. But Homa has proven he’s more than just a typist, he’s also a prolific trophy tilter.

Homa, a six-time PGA Tour winner (his last victory came in 2023 at the Farmers Insurance Open) is also part of Jupiter Links GC in TGL and returns to action Tuesday night after sitting on the sidelines the last few weeks. A key week for Jupiter Links as a win means it will jump into playoff contention with just one match left, and it would officially eliminate Boston Common Golf from the playoffs as well.

Homa has never been shy about how much Tiger Woods influenced him and now it’s been an honour to be part of his team, along with Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner.

Albeit, a team that’s trying to win a virtual golf league.

“It’s very surreal,” Homa told Sportsnet with a laugh, about being not only part of TGL but, specifically, on Woods’ team. “I don’t think I would have believed it as a kid. But it’s been very fun.

“Hopefully we can play better but so far it has seemed entertaining for fans. The tech is also crazy. What they can do with the green and all the holes has been cool to see.”

Prior to the 2025 campaign kicking off, Homa was not only rocking some new clubs (he signed a deal with Cobra) but also some new gear, with a Canadian connection. He became Lululemon’s newest golf ambassador in January, saying that his wife had bought him some casual gear a while ago and he quickly became “obsessed.” Although he wasn’t aware of the golf venture at first, he said the brand has a lot of runway to grow in the golf space.

Homa is now also involved with the testing of new products.

As far as connections north of the border go, while Homa hasn’t played the RBC Canadian Open since 2017 at Glen Abbey, he says “it’s impossible not to get along with Canadians” and counts Stanley Cup winner Mike Commodore as one of his good friends.

With new clubs and new clothes, Homa is hoping to find a bit of needed spark with respect to his results. He hasn’t notched a top-10 finish on the PGA Tour since last May at the Wells Fargo Championship, one of just three top-10s for the season. He had 13 the year before.

This is not, however, the first time Homa has struggled at length. In 2017, for example, he earned just three FedExCup points for the whole of the season. He knows what it takes to bounce back.

“Golf does not like me at the moment,” Homa admitted at The Genesis Invitational two weeks ago.

He then relayed a story about sitting in his car after a marathon practice session Saturday of the WM Phoenix Open week, despite missing the cut the day prior.

“I was really tired and like really frustrated just with everything going on with my own golf game,” Homa explained. “On the drive back (from the course), I just had a nice moment where I just thought to myself how much better the next win's going to feel than any win has felt.”

Homa is hoping to keep Jupiter Links’ playoff hopes alive Tuesday night in its match against undefeated The Bay Golf Club as the final playoff spot comes down to Jupiter Links, Boston Common, and New York Golf Club – who, for now, hold the fourth and final spot.

TGL is one thing, and Homa’s quick wit has been a nice addition to the new league. But he’s also got a singular, serious goal when it comes to his effort through the balance of the PGA Tour season.

“Champion,” Homa said when asked for the one word he’s hoping he will be able to describe 2025 with when it’s all said and done. “I want to win. I work hard enough to win. I care about being great. And I’d like to show that.”