As the 2025 PGA Championship unfolds at Quail Hollow Club, Max Homa is turning heads with a strong opening round, positioning himself among the leaders after a challenging season. The 34-year-old Californian, a fan favorite for his wit and grit, carded a 4-under 67 on May 15, trailing leader Johnathan Vegas by three shots.
This article dives into Max Homa’s performance, his journey through a turbulent 2025, and his prospects for a maiden major, offering golf fans a detailed look at a resurgent star.
Background: Max Homa’s Rollercoaster Career
Max Homa burst onto the PGA Tour in 2014, earning six career wins, including the 2019 and 2022 Wells Fargo Championships at Quail Hollow. His T3 finish at the 2024 Masters marked a career highlight, but 2025 brought struggles, with five consecutive missed cuts and a withdrawal at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Max Homa made significant changes after his world ranking dropped to No. 81. He left Titleist for Cobra clubs, split from coach Mark Blackburn and caddie Joe Greiner, and started working with John Scott Rattan.
A turnaround was indicated with a T12 at the 2025 Masters, his first cut since July 2024, and a T30 at the Truist Championship. Max Homa is now taking advantage of a familiar Quail Hollow.
Max Homa’s Strong Start at Quail Hollow
In the opening round of the 2025 PGA Championship, Max Homa showcased his course knowledge, navigating Quail Hollow’s demanding 7,558-yard layout with precision. His 67 included five birdies, highlighted by a 20-foot putt on the par-3 17th, though a bogey on the 18th slightly marred his card, per Golfweek.
Max Homa gained 2.5 strokes on approach, ranking among the field’s best, and his familiarity with the course, where he’s won twice, boosted his confidence. Playing alongside Lucas Glover and Joaquin Niemann, he stayed focused, limiting phone use to avoid distractions, as he told the Daily Mail. Posts on X praised his “vintage” iron play, with one fan noting, “Homa’s back at Quail.”
Max Homa‘s 4-under score puts him in contention, along with guys like Luke Donald, despite the course being soggy and “mud balls” making play more difficult. With 1.8 strokes gained on the greens in Round 1, his recent T30 at the Truist Championship, where he gained strokes putting, carried over.
Given Homa’s track record, handicapper Matt MacKay supports Oddschecker’s listing of him at -130 to cut. But maintaining this form is crucial given his major record, which includes six top-25 finishes but no top-10 finishes since the Masters last year.
Challenges and Opportunities
Max Homa’s 2025 season has been a grind, as he admitted to the PGA Tour, likening golf to a “toxic relationship.” His iron play, once a strength, cost him over a stroke per round in seven straight events, per Golf Digest. Yet, his Master’s T12 and Presidents Cup performance, where he gained 6.25 strokes on approach, showed promise.
At Quail Hollow, avoiding the “Green Mile” (holes 16-18, among the PGA’s toughest) pitfalls will be key. Facing Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, both heavy favorites per CBS Sports, Homa’s underdog status at 66-1 odds could fuel his fire. Round 2, teeing off at 1:36 p.m. ET on May 16, tests his consistency.
Personal Milestones and Fan Appeal
Of course, Max Homa announced he and his wife Lacey are expecting their second child, revealed at the Masters’ Par 3 Contest, per Yahoo Sports. This joy, coupled with his candid social media presence, endears him to fans. His decision to limit phone use during majors, shared with the Daily Mail, reflects a focused mindset, crucial after a season of upheaval.
Why Max Homa’s Performance Matters
Max Homa’s strong start at the 2025 PGA Championship is a redemption arc in progress. For golf fans, his Quail Hollow mastery and resilience offer a compelling narrative. A deep run could propel him toward the U.S. Open and a Ryder Cup spot, making this week a defining moment.
Fresh Khaber was founded by Abdul Basit, a passionate sports enthusiast with a deep interest in covering the latest developments in the sports world. Abdul is committed to delivering insightful, well-researched content that is accessible to fans, athletes, and readers globally. With a focus on accuracy and clarity, he leads Fresh Khaber in providing reliable news and updates to a dedicated audience.