Max Homa Breaks Through at the Masters, Finds Hope After Long Cut Drought
Making the cut at Augusta National is a dream for any golfer—but for Max Homa, it meant even more this year.
On Friday, Homa punched his ticket to the weekend at the Masters, ending a nearly nine-month drought of missing cuts in traditional PGA Tour events. His gritty second-round performance marked the first time he had made a cut since July 19, 2024, at The Open Championship. This wasn’t just another day on the course. For Homa, it was a milestone in perseverance.
“Tough times don’t last, tough people do,” Homa said after his round, quoting a timeless mantra that clearly resonates with his recent journey. “You’re always trying to learn and evolve. I know I’m only even and whatever, eight back, but it does feel good to not beat myself out here. So, that was nice.”
The 34-year-old Californian had a rough opening round on Thursday, carding a 2-over 74. Things didn’t start much better in Round 2—he bogeyed the first hole and looked like he might miss another cut. But Homa steadied himself. He didn’t drop another shot the rest of the way, grinding out a 2-under-par 70 to finish the first two rounds at even par.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective.
Homa hit just 8 of 14 fairways and leaned heavily on his short game, scrambling for par again and again. He showcased the mental toughness and composure that have made him a six-time PGA Tour winner, even when the scorecard hasn’t reflected it lately.
This weekend appearance is Homa’s first in a cut-line tournament this PGA Tour season. While he played into the weekend at both The Sentry and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier this year, neither event had a traditional cut. Every other time this season, he’d fallen short of Saturday golf.
Augusta, however, has always been a place where anything can happen. This is Homa’s sixth career start at the Masters, and he’s shown flashes of brilliance on these hallowed grounds. Just last year, he opened with a 67 and went on to finish in a tie for third—his best major finish to date.
He’ll need something special to replicate that run. He’s eight shots off the lead heading into Saturday, but simply playing on the weekend feels like a win.
Homa joined the PGA Tour in 2014 and has become one of the game’s more popular and relatable players, both for his sharp play and candid personality. His last tour win came at the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open. Since then, the road has been rocky, but moments like Friday remind fans—and Homa himself—that his best golf may still be ahead.
He may be even par, but mentally, Max Homa is trending upward.
