Max Homa, the 34-year-old Californian golfer, faced an unexpected setback during the first round of the Masters on Thursday.
Just days after parting ways with his long-time caddie, Joe Greiner, Homa found himself in a frustrating situation when his approach shot on the eighth hole hit the back of a caddie.
The incident, which left him visibly upset, added an unfortunate moment to an already challenging day.
A Shot Gone Wrong at Augusta
On the par five eighth hole, Homa was aiming for the fairway from the trees, but instead, his ball struck the backside of a startled caddie who had his back turned at the wrong moment.
The caddie turned just in time, but it was too late to avoid the mishap.
Homa, clearly frustrated, could be heard shouting, “Come on, dude!” as the ball took an unexpected detour.
Despite the incident, Homa managed to recover and par the hole but ended his round with a two-over 74, leaving him in a tie for 51st place, nine strokes behind the leader, Justin Rose.
Golf Fans React to the Unbelievable Moment
The mishap quickly became the talk of social media, with fans reacting in shock and amusement.
One fan humorously commented, “Max Homa always knows how to keep us entertained! This moment is pure gold.
You can’t make this stuff up!” Others expressed their disbelief, with one calling it “insane” and another labeling it “incredible.”
However, not all reactions were lighthearted, with some fans taking a jab at Homa’s performance, with one posting, “First flag Homa’s come within 20 yards of in the last eight months.”
Struggles and a Caddie Change Before the Masters
Homa, a six-time PGA Tour winner, was coming off a rough patch, having missed five consecutive cuts leading into the Masters.
His best result at a major came last year when he finished joint third at the Masters, but this season has been a different story.
Just before the prestigious tournament, Homa and his longtime caddie Greiner parted ways, which Homa admitted was not his choice.
“It was not my decision, so it sucked, but we always had a deal that we’re friends first and friendship mattered more than the work thing, and he was wise enough to do what he did,” Homa explained.
Greiner Moves On to a New Role
After the split, Greiner is now carrying the bag for Justin Thomas at the Masters, filling in for Thomas’s regular caddie, Matt Minister, who is taking a break due to a back issue.
Thomas, a two-time major winner, finished the first day a stroke ahead of Homa, with a 73 compared to Homa’s 74.
Despite the challenges, Homa is determined to put the frustrations behind him and focus on the remainder of the Masters, hoping for a better result over the next few days.