Report: PGA Tour golfer Max Homa in split with key member of his team

Multiple PGA Tour winner Max Homa has parted ways with his golf coach, according to a report. 

Homa split with the renowned Mark Blackburn in September 2024 and turned to Scott Rattan following what he believed was a below-par campaign. 

He began that season off the back of his most impressive year on the course to date, winning his sixth PGA Tour title. 

Homa was also arguably one of the United States' better players in an otherwise abject team performance at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy.  

But then Homa, who also switched equipment from Titleist to Cobra at the beginning of the year, began to tumble down the world rankings. 

By April, Homa had missed six cuts from eight starts and was even sacked by his own caddie Joe Greiner so as to preserve their friendship. 

Homa has since arrested the slump somewhat, only missing three cuts since The Masters. 

But according to Golfweek, following the Baycurrent Classic in Japan, decided to part ways with Rattan and go back to Blackburn. 

Blackburn has worked with the likes of Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Gary Woodland and JJ Spaun. 

Rattan confirmed the split to the publication, writing in an email:

"Working with Max has been a privilege. He’s made great progress, and I'm proud of the work we did together. These relationships evolve over time, and it feels like the right moment for him to take the next step. I've got a lot of respect for Max and will always be pulling for him."

Homa was asked about the split but declined to comment. Likewise Blackburn. 

The 34-year-old is currently competing at the Bank of Utah Championship. 

He entered the week ranked 100th in the FedEx Cup Fall standings. 

Only the top 100 players at the conclusion of the fall season retain their cards.

Homa is assured of a job next year owing to previous wins. 

He was spotted walking down the fairways in agony in the second round at Black Desert Resort. 

Homa said he was struggling with a bone spur at the top of his ankle but decided not to withdraw. 

"I kept thinking about my wife had a horrendous birth with our first son and she had major, major surgery, and there is just no way I could complain about a hurt ankle while I walked," he said.  

"She gets me through a lot. She couldn't look at me the same [if I withdrew]. Yeah, this is nothing. It's just more of a pain."