Max Homa is back in contention at a PGA Tour event after shooting a fine round of 68 to sit just one back of the leaders at the John Deere Classic.
Homa has been woefully out of form for some time now and his best finish all season has been a T12 at The Masters back in April.
The American missed five cuts in a row prior to that Masters surge but since then, his form has dipped once more, with his best being a T30 at the Truist.
However, Homa is now well and truly back in the mix and going into the weekend, he’ll be looking to hunt down Doug Ghim and score that elusive win.
Of course, every golfer longs to get back to somewhere near their best and in assessing his performance, the six-time PGA Tour winner admitted that things are shaping up nicely.
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesMax Homa delivers verdict on his golf game after round two at the John Deere Classic
Golf is a frustrating game and for Max Homa, the last few years have been a struggle and disappointment.
However, his performance so far at TPC Deere Run shows that the grind can eventually be worth it, and Homa himself seemed delighted with how things had gone.
“Well, yeah. I drove it well today. Got off the tee I thought pretty well. It was a lot harder today with the wind, especially the back nine. Couple of those tee shots played pretty tricky as opposed to yesterday when we played with no wind. So it was nice to continue to drive it well, especially on the back nine,” Homa admitted.
“So, yeah, it was definitely — it helps just because I iron it really well. You know, I’m putting it nice. It’s just you want to just keep feeling like you’re being the aggressor.
“It’s nice when you can drive it like that and you can keep it in play, whether it’s a birdie look from close or making routine pars, it’s an easy rhythm to get into.”
Asked if he feels like he’s made a big step forward for the season, Homa admitted that it’s the best two days of golf he’s played in a row for some time.
“Yeah, I have a plan. This is the — it’s only been two and a half days or so, but it really feels like this is a nice step for me with the long game,” he continued.
“It’s definitely the best 36 holes off the tee I’ve had in a while consecutively, so that’s nice. I’m just trying to keep getting better every day. I don’t particularly worry about what place I’m in on the leaderboard. If I’m up near it on Sunday, that’s when you start to think a little bit and game plan.
“”But for the most part, just try to get out there every day and kind of take what I have and shoot the lowest score I can. So I think I have a little bit more right now and it’s a lot more fun to strategize and play with a more complete golf game.”
Max Homa has to capitalise on a golden chance at the John Deere Classic
The John Deere is a good event on the PGA Tour circuit but it lacks the star power of many events through the season.
With that in mind, this is an ideal chance for Max Homa to get over the line and get back in the winner’s circle.
Right now, he is very much one of the top players in contention and in terms of experience in winning events and more, Homa has the upper hand on many of those around him.
If he fails to bring it home now, it will be a huge dent to the confidence and come Sunday, even if he doesn’t win, Homa will be keen to ensure he’s at least gone as close as possible.