Max Homa Ditches Caddie amid Carrying Own Bag at Painful US Open Qualifier
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.
Max Homa was the talk of the town during 'Golf's Longest Day,' but not precisely for his results. The six-time PGA Tour winner was seen carrying his own golf bag during the qualifying event at the Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club in Columbus, Ohio.
It is a highly unusual situation, because caddies are allowed at these events, and Homa has had a successful enough career to afford hiring one. He was reportedly the only player in the field huffing his own bag around the course.
This is what Golf's Longest Day is all about!
6x @PGATOUR winner Max Homa out here grinding 36 holes with his own bag on his back in an effort to play in his sixth-consecutive U.S. Open. pic.twitter.com/B3HsB33Znc — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 2, 2025
This led to the obvious question: Why was he carrying his own bag? Homa didn't say much about it.
"I'd much rather talk about the golf instead of all the questions about the caddie," he said, according to Associated Press. "I'm good. Just hoofed it 36."
However, AP reported that Homa and his caddie, Bill Harke, parted ways after only two months of working together. Ergo, Homa had to carry his own bag at Columbus.
"I haven't carried my bag 36 holes in a while so I'm a little tired," he said.
As for golf, Homa's performance in the final qualifier was very dramatic. He lost his chance to earn a spot in the US Open literally on the last hole.
A par or better on the 36th hole would have secured his spot among the six qualifiers. However, he three-putted for bogey and finished at 5-under, tying with four other players. Therefore, a playoff was necessary to determine the final qualifier.
Max Homa of the United States pulls his club from his bag on the 15th hole during the third round of the RBC Heritage 2025 at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 19, 2025 in...
Max Homa of the United States pulls his club from his bag on the 15th hole during the third round of the RBC Heritage 2025 at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 19, 2025 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. More
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Cameron Young earned the final spot at Oakmont by birdieing the first playoff hole. Another sudden-death hole was then played to determine the two alternates for the event, and Chase Johnson and Eric Cole defeated Max Homa and Rickie Fowler in this instance.
Erik van Rooyen won the Columbus qualifier comfortably with a 36-hole score of 13-under. PGA Tour players Bud Cauley, Lanto Griffin, and Justin Lower tied for second place at 7-under, and Harrison Ott earned fifth place at 6-under.
Max Homa's US Open dream isn't completely over, as he's in the field for this week's RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto's North Course. Homa, currently ranked 87th in the world, needs a strong finish to move into the top 60 and earn the very last ticket to Oakmont.
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