Max Homa is embarking on a new chapter after a challenging season on the PGA Tour. The golfer announced his split from longtime coach Mark Blackburn ahead of the Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal in Quebec.
“It’s just a tough year, time for a change,” Homa explained. “It’s unfortunate. I love Mark, he’s basically a part of my family. … But at times, the communication gets hard. I think everyone in here has gone through that at some point. It’s one of those things, more for me I need a break and sometimes I don’t do a great job of taking ownership of my own golf swing, so kind of putting the ball in my court a bit and, you know, trying to figure it out myself.”
Despite starting the year strong with a T3 finish at the Masters in April, Homa’s performance in the latter part of the season was inconsistent. He struggled to secure top finishes and missed the cut in several tournaments, including the U.S. Open and the Procore Championship.
Formerly ranked as high as No. 7 in the Official World Golf Rankings, Homa’s position has declined to No. 25. However, he remains optimistic and acknowledges the positives of his season, such as his third-place finish at Augusta National and selection to the U.S. Presidents Cup team.
“I wasn’t swinging the club well, and I just felt like I was throwing mud at the wall all year and could not find anything that would stick,” Homa shared.
Although Homa did not participate in Thursday’s four-ball matches, he is determined to make an impact during the weekend’s events. He recognizes the importance of perseverance and growth in his career, emphasizing the significance of maintaining a positive mindset despite challenges.
“It’s just something that as you get older, you start to realize these things,” Homa reflected. “That if your bad is not awful, then you’re making playoffs and all those things, it’s an important thing to keep in the back of your mind. … I’m just trying to keep chugging. It’s not going to be a straight line up.”