Max Homa Secures Farmers Insurance Open Title
In a tightly contested event, it was the American who came out on top as he picked up a sixth PGA Tour title
On a final day where the majority of fans thought that Jon Rahm would pick up yet another trophy, it was in fact Max Homa who came out on top, as the American held off Sam Ryder, Keegan Bradley and Collin Morikawa to secure a sixth PGA Tour title and his fifth in under two years.
During the third round at Torrey Pines, Homa had been mic'd up in a fantastic addition to the PGA Tour and, during the final day at the Farmers Insurance Open, the 32-year-old kept his cool and showed his class, with a closing 66 giving him a two shot win.
A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)
A photo posted by on
Starting the final round, it was Ryder who held a two shot lead as he went in search of his first PGA Tour victory in 147 starts. Despite holding the advantage, it was World No.3 Rahm who began the favourite, but that was until he bogeyed the first and Ryder birdied it to sit four shots clear.
Homa had began his day five shots back of the leader and, a third of the way through the round, he was still four shots adrift of his fellow countryman. That lead though evaporated quickly! Especially when Ryder made back-to-back bogeys and Homa delivered a superb birdie at the ninth to tie things up at the top.
A few holes later, fans were treated to more-or-less a straight shootout between the American pair, with the duo four shots clear of a number of huge names. It was at the 14th where things seemed to unravel for Homa though, as a bogey dropped him back behind Ryder with just a handful of holes remaining.
In the end, it was Homa's experience that shone through, especially when, at the 230-yard par 3 16th, he made just the third birdie of the day at that hole, an exceptional feat that was fully capitalised as Ryder found a costly double bogey at the 15th.
As Ryder dropped out of contention, it was Bradley who was his nearest challenger, with the American setting the clubhouse target at 11-under-par. However, after Homa found the green with his second shot at the par 5 last hole, the title was all but his.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Rolling his lengthy putt up to just a few feet, the American tapped in for a seventh birdie of the day and yet another victory in his home state of California.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
YouTube Star George Bryan Comes Within Inches Of PGA Tour Start At Qualifying Event
The YouTube star appeared set for a place at the Myrtle Beach Classic, but a near miss on the 18th left him in a playoff, which Matt Atkins won
By Mike Hall Published
-
6 Mistakes Golfers Make When Choosing A Putter
Joe Ferguson examines how you can avoid some common pitfalls the next time you look to change putters
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2024
Nick Hardy and Davis Riley defend their title at the team event as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also play
By Mike Hall Published
-
'We're A Fraternity' - Seve Stories Shared At Jon Rahm's 'Emotional' Masters Champions Dinner
Phil Mickelson was again quiet, Sandy Lyle couldn't make it and the Seve stories flowed as Jon Rahm hosted a successful Champions Dinner ahead of The Masters
By Paul Higham Last updated
-
Jon Rahm Reveals What He Misses About The PGA Tour Ahead Of Masters Defence
Rahm spoke about why he still "loves the PGA Tour", the pressure of LIV Golf events, and his legacy ahead of defending his Masters title this week
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
'I Definitely Wouldn't Mind Going Back To 72 Holes' - Jon Rahm Calls On LIV To Make 'Helpful' Format Change
The current Masters champion suggested that increasing the number of holes in a week on the PIF-backed circuit could help with unification in the men's game
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Jon Rahm Could Lack The 'Right Intensity' To Defend Masters Title After 'Playing Resort Courses In His Shorts' In LIV Golf
Sir Nick Faldo questioned whether Jon Rahm could find the right intensity to defend his Masters title after making the switch to LIV Golf
By Paul Higham Published
-
'We're Coming For That Green Jacket' - Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, And Sergio Garcia Backing LIV Golfer To Win The Masters
There are 13 LIV Golf players set to tee it up at Augusta National Golf Club next week - and it's fair to say that confidence is high among the group
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Jon Rahm Calls On Majors To Consider Invite For 'Left Out' LIV Player
The current Masters champion suggested there was one player in the LIV Golf League that has been "a little bit left out" despite being "fantastic" in 2023
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'What The F***?' How PGA Tour Pros (Including Rory McIlroy And Justin Thomas) Reacted To Merger News During Full Swing Season 2
The Netflix cameras captured the reactions of a number of PGA Tour pros after the June 6 agreement became public which were shared in Season 2 of 'Full Swing'
By Jonny Leighfield Published