Over the past ten months, Max Homa has overhauled nearly every aspect of his golf career. He entered this week’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow without his longtime caddie Joe Greiner, having replaced him with Bill Harke. Homa also changed equipment and apparel sponsors in the offseason and shifted swing coaches from Mark Blackburn to John Scott Rattan. Reflecting on this dramatic shift, Homa admitted it was unwise to change clubs and coaches simultaneously, but he felt the need for a comprehensive reset.
Early Season Struggles And Swing Changes Challenge Max Homa’s Confidence And Consistency Deeply
These sweeping changes led to one of the most challenging stretches of Homa’s career. Since finishing eighth at the 2023 Masters, he has missed five straight cuts this season and has struggled with a swing that felt unfamiliar. Despite intense effort and endless hours on the range, Homa found himself battling inconsistency and frustration. He described the past months as grueling and mentally taxing, stating that the swing often felt “foreign.”
Max Homa (PGA Tour)Despite the adversity, Homa began to show flashes of improvement. On Friday at the PGA Championship, he shot a career-best 7-under 64 in a major, catapulting him into a tie for fifth place. It was his best round since the 2023 BMW Championship and a significant contrast to his earlier struggles. This performance indicated that his hard work might be starting to pay off, even if his results hadn’t previously reflected it.
Technical Tweaks, Mental Clarity, And Belief Spark Max Homa’s Powerful Midseason Turnaround
Homa’s resurgence didn’t hinge on a single adjustment. It was a combination of communication, persistence, and equipment refinement. By working with coach Rattan to recapture the feel of his 2022-23 swing and collaborating with Cobra on a driver setup that favored his preferred fade, Homa unlocked more comfort and speed in his swing. These technical shifts helped him regain confidence and improve his ball striking, especially off the tee.
On Friday, Homa delivered a nearly flawless front nine, highlighted by an eagle on the par-4 14th, where he drove the green and left himself a short putt. He led the field in strokes gained: driving and climbed dramatically up the leaderboard. For the first time in months, Homa walked off the course smiling, a symbol of emotional release and self-belief. His caddie Harke noted that this kind of round could finally convince Homa of the progress everyone else had seen.
Although it’s uncertain whether Homa can maintain this level of play, Friday’s round is a hopeful sign. After previously describing his relationship with golf as “toxic,” this performance was both therapeutic and validating. Playing well at Quail Hollow, a course where he’s had success before, adds another layer of comfort. Homa now seems to be on the path toward rebuilding both his swing and his confidence—one committed round at a time.
