Max Homa produces clutch performance at Torrey Pines to claim sixth PGA Tour win

Max Homa claimed his sixth PGA Tour win at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines after Sam Ryder and Jon Rahm struggled in California.

Ben Smith

29 Jan 2023

Max Homa produces clutch performance at Torrey Pines to claim sixth PGA Tour win — Max Homa produces clutch performance at Torrey Pines to claim sixth PGA…

Max Homa claimed his sixth PGA Tour win at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines after Jon Rahm imploded.

Homa began the final round in California five strokes behind leader Sam Ryder but produced a remarkable round of 6-under 66.

It gave the 32-year-old American his first victory since becoming a dad. It's also his second win this season having taken down the Fortinet Championship.

Rahm was attempting to become the first player since Dustin Johnson in 2017 to win three consecutive starts on the PGA Tour.

He flirted with missing the cut but somehow forced himself into contention, starting two strokes behind Ryder on Saturday.

But Rahm had a day to forget, carding a final round of 2-over par 74.

Rahm made bogey at 1, doubled 5 and, despite putting a stop to the bleeding at 6 with a birdie, he immediately dropped another shot.

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As for Ryder, it was a tale of so close but so far. He held a one-stroke lead over Homa for much of the final round.

But disaster struck at 15 when he hit his tee shot into the thick rough, had to chop out and then failed to land his wedge approach on the green.

His golf ball ran through the green, which left him a tricky downhill chip out of the greenside rough. It led to a double bogey and his race was run.

Ryder did, however, attract the attention of Phil Mickelson because of his attire. Mickelson is apparently not a joggers guy.

He told the media:

"I haven't really processed a whole lot to be honest right now, I just walked off the course. But just didn't get it done."

Homa closed the door with birdies at 16 and 18. His wife Lacey was greenside to watch the victory.

Homa said:

"I am not going to cry today. A couple of days ago, I finally made a birdie in front of Cam [his son]. Joe [Greiner, his caddie] said we had to make a birdie for him. You know what happened today.

"Also, a shout out to Danielle Kang [LPGA Tour player], she's got six wins and a major and she told me I had to catch up to her. I've got six now."

Asked how he won, Homa said:

"Winning takes a lot of luck but it also takes a lot of patience. Especially in these final rounds, 18 holes is a marathon and a lot goes on."

Homa eventually finished two strokes clear of Keegan Bradley. Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, Jason Day, Hideki Matsuyama and Tony Finau also finished inside the top 10.

Next page: Jon Rahm past caring about world rankings