Golfer Max Homa took an unusual step on Monday in an effort to turn his season around.
After falling out of the top 60 in the Official World Golf Rankings, the six-time winner on the PGA Tour had to play his way into the upcoming U.S. Open by taking part in a 36-hole final qualifying tournament.
And do it while carrying his own bag.
After shooting a 77 in the final round of the Memorial Tournament last weekend, Homa showed up without a caddie at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club outside Columbus, Ohio, in his bid to grab one of the six available spots.
Homa did not go into detail when asked why he was flying solo at the qualifier.
‘It seems to be better when someone is not standing next to me, for some reason,’ Homa said. ‘So I might just need to walk by myself more.’
The novel approach nearly paid off as Homa made it into a playoff for the final spot. However, fellow Tour pro Cameron Young edged out Homa, Rickie Fowler and two others to secure a place in the U.S. Open, which will be contested at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh in two weeks.
Homa began the year comfortably inside the top 60 in the rankings, which would have automatically qualified him for the U.S. Open. However, after a string of missed cuts he and long-time caddie Joe Greiner parted ways before the Masters.
When he arrived at Monday’s qualifying event, new caddie Bill Harke was nowhere to be found. And Homa wasn’t in any mood to answer questions about it.
‘I haven’t carried my bag 36 holes in a while, so a little tired,’ Homa said.
He will have one more opportunity to qualify for the U.S. Open − at this week’s RBC Canadian Open. Though he’ll likely have to win the tournament to do so.
This story has been updated with new information.