Caddie Changes & U.S. Open Miss

Max Homa’s Struggles: Caddie Changes & U.S. Open Miss

Max Homa, known for his energetic style and six PGA Tour wins, has recently experienced a challenging stretch in his professional golf career. Over the past few months, max homa has parted ways with his second caddie, a rare and telling sign of the struggles a player faces both on and off the course. His difficulties culminated in a dramatic U.S. Open 2025 qualifying event, where max homa narrowly missed earning a spot in the prestigious tournament.

A Tough Decision: Parting Ways with His Second Caddie in Two Months

Max homa's relationship with his caddies has seen significant upheaval. After ending his long-term partnership with Joe Greiner earlier this year, he brought on Bill Harke as his new caddie. However, that partnership also ended abruptly after just two months. During the U.S. Open qualifying rounds, max homa was seen carrying his own bag — a rare sight for top-level golfers and an indication of his current transitional phase. He described this moment as a "peaceful walk," allowing him to reflect and “battle some demons” on the course.

The U.S. Open Qualifying: A Playoff Heartbreaker

At the U.S. Open 2025 qualifying held at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club in Ohio, max homa fought hard but ultimately fell short. Tied with several others at 5-under-par after two rounds, he entered a tense five-man playoff for the final qualifying spot. Unfortunately, after a four-putt mishap, max homa was eliminated from contention, failing to secure even the first alternate position.

This playoff included other notable names like Rickie Fowler and Cameron Young, with Young clinching the last spot in the tournament. For max homa, this result was a tough pill to swallow, especially after showing flashes of good form in earlier stages of the qualifying event.

Broader Struggles: Slump in Form and Ranking

Max homa’s recent challenges are not limited to caddie changes and qualifying heartbreaks. He has also experienced a slump in form, missing several consecutive cuts and seeing his world ranking drop significantly from a career high inside the top ten to outside the top 80. These struggles have prompted him to make sweeping changes, including coaching adjustments and equipment tweaks, in hopes of regaining his winning ways.

Looking Ahead: Can Max Homa Bounce Back?

Despite these setbacks, max homa remains optimistic about his future. He has plans to compete in the upcoming Canadian Open, where a strong performance could help him regain his footing and potentially secure a spot back inside the top 60 in world rankings. This would be crucial in earning automatic entries into major tournaments like the U.S. Open.

Max homa’s recent experiences underscore the mental and emotional challenges professional golfers face, highlighting the importance of resilience, adaptability, and support systems like trusted caddies.


FAQ

Max homa ended his partnership with his longtime caddie Joe Greiner and later with Bill Harke, citing personal reflection and a need for change in his support team.

Max homa tied for a playoff spot but was eliminated after a four-putt during the playoff, missing out on qualifying for the U.S. Open.

Cameron Young secured the last qualifying spot after birdieing in the playoff against max homa and others.

After parting ways with his second caddie, max homa carried his own bag, describing the experience as a time for personal reflection on the course.

Max homa has six PGA Tour wins, including the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open.

Max homa’s ranking has dropped to outside the top 80 after a slump, down from a career-high ranking inside the top 10.

He plans to compete in the Canadian Open to try to improve his ranking and get back into major tournaments.

Yes, he has changed coaches, adjusted his swing and equipment, and is working on regaining consistency.

While some changes happen occasionally, two caddie changes in a short span like max homa’s is relatively uncommon and often signals challenges.

His journey highlights the importance of mental resilience, adaptability, and the vital role of a caddie in a golfer’s success.