'The Adrenaline's Going To Be At A Million' - Homa In Awe Of Ryder Cup First Tee Stand

Max Homa can already sense the adrenaline that will be flowing through his body after getting a look at the monstrous first tee grandstand that will be awaiting them in the Ryder Cup.

Homa was part of Zach Johnson's scouting party that played Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome as they not only got a sense of the challenge the course would offer but also the atmosphere.

Le Golf National had a massive first tee stand five years ago, and although not quite as big, the one at Marco Simone is still a monster, and is an enclosed space that will only amplify the noise bellowing down from the fans.

Homa was part of the winning USA Presidents Cup team at Quail Hollow last year, but although he found it hard to accept at first, he's now certain the Ryder Cup will take the atmosphere up to another level.

"Just standing on the first tee when we went out there last weekend with zero people there was insane just how big the stands are," said Homa.

"All the stories all the boys were telling me just about what it's like, whether home or away. The Presidents Cup was so exciting and it was so raucous and it was so wild. 

"I had a few people tell me that it's just nothing compared to what the Ryder Cup will be, and I really had a hard time believing that until I saw the stands on the first tee.

"We had a tunnel out at Quail Hollow and it was nuts, but this is like quadruple the size. Just that alone, you could already tell how different it is and how amplified it will be.

"We obviously haven't won there in 30 years, so we have a lot we're trying to accomplish and a bit of a chip on everyone's shoulder. So it just feels bigger." 

Johnson was keen for his players to visit the course ahead of Ryder Cup week to not only get a glimpse of what they're in for, but to do some serious course prep.

With everything that surrounds the Ryder Cup in the week of the event, Homa agrees that they've saved themselves from being panicked about getting their game plans done in Rome.

"It was very nice to see the golf course. I would say those weeks are so busy,  you almost feel like you're rushing, at least that's what I felt at the Presidents Cup," Homa added. 

"You're rushing to get to know things about the golf course, you're rushing to get some extra practice in, whatever it may be. At Quail Hollow we all played it a billion times and this one we had never been to.

"So just between the first day that we played it and then the second day completely changed my view of how we play the golf course. So basically looking back now, that saved me a day over there. I can tell Joe now what clubs we're going to hit on certain tees, he can adjust off that.

"Plus being around all the guys and seeing how tightknit the group is, it almost gave me a bunch of confidence that not only is it going to be a fun week, but I do think we have that camaraderie to get things done and break that 30-year drought."

Homa is playing at the Fortinet Championship this week, and despite it being so close to the Ryder Cup he's got no concerns about tiredness creeping in following a long journey.

"I think once we get to Rome it will be easy, the adrenaline's going to be at a million, so I'm not so worried about that," Homa insisted.

"This week has been a bit of a grind, felt like I was a zombie the last two days, today I finally feel a little bit better energy-wise.

"I'm very much excited to go play in Rome, but I have a week to get my energy back. I'm not so worried about that.

"I'd like to make sure that I expend enough energy this week to make sure I get as ready as I can to play well, and then yeah, I'll reassess that at the end of the week. It is just golf at the end of the day."