The Ryder Cup is two weeks away and Team USA’s players couldn’t be more excited. A: They’ll soon be playing in the Ryder Cup. And B: They won’t have to answer questions about Justin Thomas anymore.
The two-time major champ has gotten by far the most scrutiny of either team’s six captain’s picks. And for good reason following a PGA Tour season in which he failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the first time in his career.
But this was also the first time that post-season cut-off came at No. 70 instead of 125. And when it was Max Homa’s turn to talk about JT during his press conference at this week’s Fortinet Championship he pointed that out. But first, he pointed something else out in typical Max Homa fashion.
Q: If I had told you at last year’s Fortinet, your defending champ media day, that Justin Thomas a year from now would be 71st in the FedExCup, what would you have said?
MAX HOMA: I think it would be weird if you just came up and told me that, I guess, would be the first thing.
Great point. Max Homa is a funny guy! But also in typical Homa fashion, he then gave a very smart, thoughtful answer. Watch the entire exchange here:
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“Golf’s really hard, and I think 71st isn’t awful I don’t think,” Homa continued. “I think it’s a testament to how great of a golfer he is. Like 71st we can all be oohing and aahing like it’s the worst thing ever, like how could you possibly be 71st? That’s a testament to how great he is.
“I know Justin wants to play better obviously, and he obviously is very capable of it, but I don’t think 71st is this awful season that we can raise our nose up to and say how could you ever play so poorly,” Homa added. “I thought he played just fine.”
Well said, Max, and good luck in your attempt to three-peat in Napa. Although, the better you play, the more (JT) questions you’ll probably have to answer.