One of us! PGA star’s all-too relatable nightmare as withdrawals spark locker room rumours
A triple bogey on the first hole is a nightmare start to a round that amateur golfers know all too well, but it is rare to see such a blowout on the opening hole of a PGA Tour event.
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Max Homa was the culprit as he went bunker to bunker before leaving the next shot in the bunker to start the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines with a seven on the card.
Homa’s last PGA Tour victory came at this event in 2023 and that performance must have felt a million miles away as he dumped his approach into the left greenside, and then blasted his third shot into the sand trap on the other side of the green.
That is where things went from bad to worse as Homa next his left shot in the bunker before eventually making it out with his fifth shot.
He then made a regulation two-putt.
The American did make himself more relatable to fans watching on, however, and his downward spiral continued as he fell to six-over par after just five holes courtesy of a bogey and double bogey.
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Homa’s early meltdown was one of several interesting things to start the tournament, which got underway on Wednesday US time to set up a Saturday finish to avoid a clash with the NFL’s Conference Championship games on Sunday.
There have been mass withdrawals in the lead-up to the event most famous for Tiger Woods’ seven victories and a stunning 36-hole layout that straddles the San Diego coastline.
Eleven players withdrew in the days leading in, including Collin Morikawa and Will Zalatoris, while three more players have pulled out since the opening round began as rumours circulate of flu spreading throughout the locker room.
Zalatoris withdrew on Wednesday morning, only for his replacement Ryan Moore to then withdraw himself.
Gary Woodland also pulled the plug and an official was reported as saying it was because the 2019 US Open champion had the flu.
The withdrawals are big blow for a tournament that is missing the top three players in the world with Scottie Scheffler still recovering for hand surgery after slicing it open on Christmas Day, Xander Schauffele dealing with a rib issue and Rory McIlroy starting his year on the DP World Tour.
Meanwhile, on the course Jason Day’s fashion is once again turning heads.
Playing in the same group as Homa, the Australian has not got off to a great start as he sits one-over par after eight holes, while sporting a new look.
Since signing with apparel brand Motive last year, Day has adopted some interesting looks that have pushed the boundaries of what it deemed accepted golf attire, and this time out he has hit the course wearing a “full sweat suit”.
