Latest news with #MaxHoma
The Independent
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
The Tiger Woods story that inspired JJ Spaun to US Open glory
JJ Spaun has revealed the Tiger Woods story that inspired him to his surprise US Open win as he overcame a big deficit midway through the final round to take glory at Oakmont. Spaun entered Sunday in the penultimate group, playing alongside Viktor Hovland, and just one stroke behind leader Sam Burns. However, the American suffered a nightmare start, making five bogeys in the first six holes to fall four shots behind Burns at the turn and seemingly out of contention. A slice of huge misfortune on the second hole summed up his early struggles as his approach shot clanged off the flagstick and rolled completely off the green, ending up 50 yards away from the hole. His five-over front nine of 40 left him four shots back when the rain came down at Oakmont forcing the players off the course and a delay of around 1hr 40mins. But the 34-year-old then rallied spectacularly with birdies at 12, 14, 17 and then 18 to snatch a two-shot triumph from Scotland's Robert MacIntyre for his first major crown. And Spaun explained how some second-hand advice from golfing legend Woods helped him maintain his composure and get over the line. "I was having lunch with [fellow golf professional] Max Homa at home,' said Spaun in his post-round press conference. 'We live in the same area. We belong at the same club. "He was telling a Tiger story where he was like 'as long as you are still there, you don't have to do anything crazy, especially at a US Open'. Tiger said 'this will happen, the wind will switch but you've just got to stay there. Even if you're four back, you've just got to stay there. You don't have to do anything crazy. "I kind of was thinking about that out there this afternoon. Where I was four back, maybe going back out after the delay, and then I made some good pars, nothing crazy. Got a really good birdie. Then, next thing you know, I'm like tied for the lead, I think, and within four holes of the restart. 'I was going back to that. Just try to stay there, you don't have to do anything crazy, especially at a US Open. So all those things came true.' Having steadied the ship with pars on every hole from seven through to 11, Spaun was catapulted into the co-lead shortly after his birdie at 12 and then led on his own when he found a three at the par-four 14th. Although a bogey caused by an errant tee shot at the following hole dropped him back into a share, he crunched a clutch drive on to the green at the par-four 17th and two-putted for a birdie that took him to Evens for the championship and put him one shot ahead of MacIntyre, who finished his round at +1. That meant Spaun only needed a par at the last to lift the trophy and piped a drive down the 18th fairway before safely finding the green with his second shot. That left him 65 feet from the hole, with two putts to seal victory, but instead he drained the lengthy putt for a closing birdie and emotionally celebrated with his caddie Mark Carens. 'It's definitely like a storybook, fairytale ending, kind of underdog fighting back, not giving up, never quitting,' said Spaun of his triumph. 'With the rain and everything and then the putt, you couldn't write a better story. I'm just so fortunate to be on the receiving end of that. 'Just to finish it off like that is just a dream. You watch other people do it. You see the Tiger chip, you see Nick Taylor's putt, you see crazy moments. To have my own moment like that at this championship, I'll never forget this moment for the rest of my life.'
CNN
11-06-2025
- Sport
- CNN
The never-give-up story of the dentist who played his way into this week's US Open
For a self-confessed 'math and science geek' who once quit his college golf team, Matt Vogt certainly found the perfect formula when it came to qualifying for this year's US Open. Each year 'golf's longest day' brings with it a multitude of inspiring and heartwarming stories. There are thousands of players up and down the country who battle soaring temperatures at the start of the American summer with the goal of completing a 36-hole qualifying marathon and are left hoping they've done enough to make it through to the sport's second oldest Major. This year some big names fell short, including 2014 runner-up Rickie Fowler and six-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa. But in 2025, it's a player who's currently 2,078th in the World Amateur Rankings who's been making all the headlines. Vogt is truly living the dream. He's a full-time dentist who owns his own practice in Indiana, but his heart will always belong to Pennsylvania. He was born in the Pittsburgh area and as a youngster, he caddied for six years at the famed Oakmont Country Club that this year is hosting its 10th US Open. It's a course where he grew to love the game. 'It would be an incredible accomplishment or an incredible thing to be doing if it were anywhere in the country. But for it to be back here at Oakmont, just a place that means so much to me – really the city of Pittsburgh means so much to me,' Vogt told CNN Sports. 'I'm incredibly grateful, honestly. I'm just trying to soak it all in, especially today with all the people out here. It's been incredible so far. I try to find words in all these conversations, but it's been tough to find words, honestly,' he added. The 34-year-old – who won this year's Indianapolis Open – led the way in final qualifying in Washington recently after shooting consecutive rounds of 68 to nail down one of only two spots available for this year's US Open and earn himself a place in the 156-strong field. It's a remarkable achievement for someone who readily admits he never had any serious aspirations to play professional golf. He was briefly on the Butler University team before deciding to focus on school. 'I've always been a math and science geek. So even in high school I said, let's just go major in biology and let's try to be a dentist. Seemed like a great way to work with people, and have daily interactions with people and make it make a difference in people's lives,' he said. 'So, I started my own practice in 2018 and that was a ton of work. But kind of around that time I started to try to just get back into golf a little bit. And been very fortunate as … our practice has grown. I've had a little more time to do things like this and try to pursue, maybe, my regrets of not giving golf a full try in the past. I'll obviously still be an amateur. And still be seeing patients the week after the Open, no matter what happens.' Despite the euphoria of qualifying for this week's US Open, Vogt arrives at Oakmont with a very heavy heart following the passing of his much beloved father, Jim, just a couple of months ago. 'I feel like I've gone from, in a way, from a boy to a man and matured as a person and as a dad. Anyone who's lost a parent, you feel these brief spurts of emotion. He had colon cancer. I wear the blue ribbon for that. Gosh, I say a prayer every night for people who have been affected by cancer. It's a horrible, horrible thing,' Vogt told reporters. Jim Vogt was not just his son's mentor but also his biggest fan, a huge source of inspiration and love both on and off the course. The emotions will be thick for Matt Vogt, especially so given that this Sunday is Father's Day in the United States. 'I'm sure this weekend will be emotional. There's a sense of peace among our family, and I hope he's at peace as well, because it was hard. It's a unique time in my life where my father passed – and I miss him dearly – but I have this beautiful 15-month-old daughter and a wife who supports me in pursuing this and doing these kinds of things. I thank God every day for them. I really do. I thank God for everything in my life. I think this weekend is going to be full of gratitude and hopefully some good golf too.' Vogt – who says he'd be 'nothing' without his Christian faith – is a true Cinderella story. And whatever the outcome this week in his home state, the story of the dentist-turned-US Open qualifier is guaranteed to inspire. 'It's never too late or there's no reason you can't pursue your dreams at any point in your life or try to do something outside of your career, maybe outside of your family commitments that other people might think is foolish or a waste of your time,' he said. 'If you want to do something and it's important to you, you can do it, you honestly can.'
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
$43 Million PGA Tour Golfer Joins Rory McIlroy in Unfortunate News Entering the Weekend
$43 Million PGA Tour Golfer Joins Rory McIlroy in Unfortunate News Entering the Weekend originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto is in full swing, and it's already shaping up to be one of the most dramatic events on the PGA Tour calendar. After two rounds of play, it's Cameron Champ, a late addition to the field, who finds himself on top. With an opening round of 62 followed by a smooth 66, Champ holds a two-stroke lead and remains the only bogey-free player through 36 holes. Advertisement Behind him are Andrew Putnam and a strong chasing pack including Victor Perez, Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen and Shane Lowry. But while some are soaring, others are heading home early. The weekend field has been trimmed, and four big names won't be around, Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Luke Clanton, and David Ford all missed the cut. Max Homa walks the ninth fairway during the third round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf ClubAdam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images In PGA Tour events, the cut is used to reduce the field after two rounds, allowing only the top scorers (typically the top 65 and ties) to compete in the weekend rounds. Max Homa, who came heartbreakingly close, finished one shot short of the cutline at 2-under. His missed 13-foot birdie putt on the 18th sealed his early exit. It's a rare misstep for the 34-year-old, who has earned over $43 million in career prize money and is one of the Tour's top competitors. As for McIlroy, the missed cut is particularly shocking. This is the first time he's failed to make a weekend since The Open Championship last July. His second-round 78 included a disastrous quadruple-bogey on the 5th hole and a double on the 11th. Advertisement 'I think there's still learnings that you have to take from a day like today,' McIlroy admitted. He now faces an unexpected break ahead of the U.S. Open at Oakmont. Related: Last-Minute Addition Leads PGA Tour's RBC Canadian Open This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
04-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Max Homa Lands Tiger Woods' Former Caddie at RBC Canadian Open
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. This week's RBC Canadian Open is a pivotal moment for Max Homa's season, as it's his last chance to qualify for the U.S. Open. If he doesn't have an outstanding performance at TPC Toronto, he will miss the season's third major for the first time since 2020. Acknowledging the importance of having an experienced caddie in situations like this and having recently lost his own, Homa reached out to one of the best available options. Lance Bennett, who has worked with Tiger Woods and Matt Kuchar, among others, was the one he called. Golfweek's Adam Schupak reported this information and other caddie-related moves on the PGA Tour through his X account: "Word from the caddie yard: Max Homa will have Lance Bennett on the bag this week," Schupak posted. "Bennett was working for Michael Thorbjornsen but Thor hired JJ Jakovac as his full-time caddie. If you're scoring at home, JJ had been on Collin Morikawa's bag until Joe Greiner left Max for him." Word from the caddie yard: Max Homa will have Lance Bennett on the bag this week. Bennett was working for Michael Thorbjornsen but Thor hired JJ Jakovac as his full-time caddie. If you're scoring at home, JJ had been on Collin Morikawa's bag until Joe Greiner left Max for him. 🤯 — Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) June 3, 2025 Since 2003, Lance Bennett has gained experience on both the PGA and LPGA Tours. Matt Kuchar has been his longest-standing employer, but he has also worked with stars such as Sungjae Im and Davis Riley on the men's side and with Juli Inkster, Paula Creamer, and Lorena Ochoa among the ladies. Bennett worked with Woods in all five tournaments he played in during the 2024 season: the Genesis Invitational, the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the Open Championship. The 15-time major champion said he has a good rapport with the veteran caddie: "As far as Lance is concerned, I've had a great relationship with him over the years going back to when he caddied for Kooch [Matt Kuchar] and when we played at the Presidents Cup together back in, what, Muirfield Village [2013], Woods said, according to "Very down to earth, very loyal, and how he conversed through the years, I've also taken notice of that," he added. "We've had the same type of feeling in how we look at the golf course and how we read putts. They're very similar." Max Homa of the United States plays a shot from the 18th tee during the third round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday 2025 at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 31, 2025 in... Max Homa of the United States plays a shot from the 18th tee during the third round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday 2025 at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 31, 2025 in Dublin, Ohio. MoreMax Homa parted ways with his caddie, Bill Harke, just before the final qualifier for the US Open last Monday in Columbus, Ohio. Homa was reportedly the only player carrying his own bag at the event. The six-time PGA Tour winner ultimately failed to earn a spot at Oakmont through the qualifier, leaving the RBC Canadian Open as his last hope. More Golf: US Open: High School Junior Shoots 63-63 to Earn Spot at Oakmont
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Max Homa fails to qualify for US Open after carrying his own bag for 36 holes
Max Homa misses out on US Open after failing to qualifying while lugging clubs around 'Golf's Longest Day' is even longer when you're slugging your own clubs for two rounds. Enter Max Homa, who carried his own bag for 36 holes Monday at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club in Powell, Ohio, as he attempted to qualify for the U.S. Open during one of the numerous qualifying events taking place across the country. Advertisement Homa, looking to make his sixth straight U.S. Open, might have run out of gas as his three-putt on the 36th hole threw him into a five-man playoff with Rickie Fowler, Eric Cole, Chase Johnson and Cameron Young, who earned the right to compete at the third major of the year with a birdie on the 38th hole. 'It's going to probably be heartbreaking, but it's all right,' Homa said. 'I haven't carried my bag 36 holes in a while, so I'm a little tired.' After a grueling 38 holes, including the playoffs, and temperatures approaching the 90-degree mark, Homa added that he'd prefer not to talk about the caddie situation in a curious move. Advertisement 'I'd much rather talk about the golf instead of all the questions about the caddie,' Homa said. 'I'm good. Just hoofed it 36.' Homa and his longtime caddie, Joe Grenier, split two months ago, and he was replaced with Bill Harke, a match that apparently did not last long. Max Homa s seen carrying his golf clubs. X, @USOpenGolf It's been a rough stretch for Homa, a six-time PGA Tour winner who was the No. 10 golfer in the world as recently as last year. Homa tied for 51st at last weekend's Memorial Tournament and tied for 60th at the PGA Championship in May. Max Homa wasn't too tired to stop and sign an autograph for a fan while slugging his golf clubs around. AP Max Homa failed to qualify for the U.S. Open after losing a playoff. Getty Images 'It seems to be better than when someone is standing next to me for some reason,' he said Monday. 'I might need to walk by myself more. Maybe I just looked at it as a nice, peaceful walk. Probably got to battle some demons and have no one to lean on. Maybe that helps a little bit. There's no one … everything is me. The battle helped that a little bit.' Advertisement Homa will play in the RBC Canadian Open, which begins Thursday at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. The U.S. Open tees off next week at Oakmont Country Club.
