Max Homa arrives at the John Deere Classic in Silvis seeking a Max Homa season turnaround John Deere Classic, as he battles through one of the most challenging stretches of his professional golf career. Despite past successes, Homa faces a difficult field, renewed pressure, and the hope that TPC Deere Run can become the stage where his fortunes improve.
Max Homa’s Recent Struggles and Changes
Even with 156 other competitors on the course and support from enthusiastic fans, the golf course has felt particularly lonely for Max Homa in 2024. Known for his six TOUR victories across a twelve-year span and his selections to high-profile events like the Presidents Cup in 2022 and 2024, as well as the 2023 Ryder Cup U.S. squad, Homa has seen the consistency of his play slip this season. In the company of Rickie Fowler and Jake Knapp, he will be a focus at the John Deere Classic, although oddsmakers place him as a long shot at 110-to-1 to claim victory on Sunday.
Much has changed for Homa over the past year. He is working with a new swing coach, has brought on a new caddie, and made adjustments to his equipment. These tweaks have yet to deliver the desired results. After reaching the world No. 5 ranking at his peak in 2023, Homa entered this week ranked 99th—a steep fall from being No. 10 just over a year ago.
This season, Homa’s performance has been uneven. His best result is a tie for 12th at the Masters, marking his only top-25 finish. The year has included seven missed cuts in sixteen starts, compounded by a January withdrawal at the Farmers Insurance Open after a challenging opening round at Torrey Pines, where he last won in 2023. Although he ended a run of five consecutive missed cuts with his performance at Augusta, his momentum has not yet returned; he returns to TPC Deere Run after a long absence, having missed the cut in two of his last three events and finding himself at 122nd in the 2025 FedExCup standings.
“Yeah, my game isn’t particularly sharp,”
Homa admitted on the eve of the tournament.
“Obviously, I haven’t played well this year or great lately, either.”
—Max Homa, golfer
Perspectives from Peers and Lessons in Resilience
Homa is keenly aware of the unpredictable nature of golf and sees reminders of that in Rickie Fowler’s journey. Fowler, a well-known TOUR presence since 2009, clawed his way back with a major win at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic after his own lengthy slump. However, Fowler too has faced setbacks this season, with just one top-10 finish and modest rankings as he begins the week. Stories like these resonate in the world of competitive golf, illustrating the cyclical challenges even top players must endure.
“I don’t think anybody out here is struggling and thinking it’s a fickle game, I’ll have it soon,”
Homa said, highlighting the elusive nature of regaining form.
“It seems to go a lot faster than it comes back.”
—Max Homa, golfer
This theme extends to Homa’s former college teammate at Cal, Michael Kim, who is well-acquainted with the swings of fortune on TOUR. Kim won the 2018 John Deere Classic by a record margin but soon faced a string of missed cuts and spent years reclaiming his performance level. Kim returns this year to TPC Deere Run ranked 29th in FedExCup points, 55th worldwide, boosted by several top-10 results. When asked if he shared advice with Homa, Kim noted that his friend already possesses the necessary tools.
“He doesn’t need much advice from me,”
Kim said, reflecting on Homa’s resilience.
“He went through it all earlier in his career, so he knows everything it takes to come back, and I’m sure he’ll be back very soon.”
—Michael Kim, PGA TOUR player
According to Kim, even the sport’s most celebrated names are not immune to periods of struggle.
“I mean, even Tiger went through a bunch of swing changes,”
Kim observed.
“He didn’t play obviously as bad as I did when he was going through some changes, but he also had some downturns. And even a guy like Rory had some obvious downturns, too. So everyone goes through it in their career, and I think if you get past those bad moments, you come back stronger.”
—Michael Kim, PGA TOUR player
Support Systems on and off the Course
Homa has also found encouragement from fellow TOUR professionals who have experienced similar setbacks and rebounded. Recent discussions have included Jason Day, Justin Thomas, and Collin Morikawa—peers who understand the mental and emotional demands of professional golf.
“I played nine holes with Jason Day yesterday,”
said Homa, referencing a helpful practice round and the camaraderie among top players.
“We talked about a lot of things. He’s always a breath of fresh air out here. Justin Thomas has been like the greatest friend you could ever ask for out here. Collin Morikawa, too.”
—Max Homa, golfer
Once active on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, Homa has recently found it less of a refuge due to rising negativity. He recalls the more light-hearted connections with fans fondly but says the atmosphere has changed.
“X is an awful, awful place,”
Homa stated.
“I miss the connection with fans, but nothing comes without so much hate and anger. It does get overwhelming.”
—Max Homa, golfer
In contrast, the real-world support from spectators—especially young fans—remains a source of positive energy for Homa. Encounters with children often provide him with moments of perspective and encouragement, helping to balance the inevitable frustrations of competition.
“I’ve been super lucky, especially with the kids,”
Homa said.
“It just puts things in perspective. I haven’t had a very fun year and a half, but when you get a bunch of kids coming up, excited to get their names on their hat, at least it makes you feel good inside. Even if you just made a bogey, it’s definitely something that gives you a nice reality check.”
—Max Homa, golfer
What Lies Ahead for Max Homa
As the John Deere Classic gets underway at TPC Deere Run, Max Homa seeks to reverse his recent fortunes and demonstrate once again why he has earned respect on the PGA TOUR. Surrounded by fellow competitors like Jake Knapp and Rickie Fowler, and with support from peers such as Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa, Homa’s pursuit of a strong performance this week carries added significance—not just for his ranking or future event qualifications, but as evidence of the resilience and tenacity required in elite-level golf.
Should Homa manage a strong showing or even a win, it could mark the beginning of another chapter in his career resurgence, affirming that within the peaks and troughs of professional sports, persistence and support can help even the most seasoned players reclaim their confidence and competitive edge.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Max Homa’s religion?
A. He is Jewish and went to Hebrew school for six years. He also had a bar mitzvah. However, he has said that he does not practice religion.
Q. What religion is Max Homa?
A. Homa was born in Burbank, California, on November 19, 1990. He is Jewish and spent six years going to Hebrew school. He also had a bar mitzvah ceremony. However, he has mentioned that he does not follow religious practices.