Max Homa among leaders at Masters, but ‘being out in the wind for that long just got old’

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The wind took control at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday.

Max Homa, who had to finish the final five holes of his first round early in the day, played 23 holes Friday to find himself within striking distance of the lead in the 2024 Masters Tournament ahead of the weekend.

He sits at 6 under for the tournament, tied with Bryson DeChambeau. It wasn’t an easy road to get here.

By the time he, Tiger Woods and Jason Day reached the No. 18 green in their second round, however, it was obvious the wind had taken its toll. All three could be seen turning their bodies to dodge the sand blowing in their faces from the green-side bunker.

“That was about as happy as you could be to be off of a golf course. That was so hard,” he said, laughing. “We got the sand shower to end our day. So it was kind of even the golf course saying, ‘Get the hell out of here.’ Just being out in the wind for that long just got old. Even here, even at a place as amazing as this, you still — I was picturing my couch and the TV. Yeah, just wanted to be done. Just be inside. That’s all we were rooting for.”

Despite the wind over the past two days, Homa played great. The 33-year-old made the cut for the third-straight year and carded a career-best 67 on Thursday. Friday was about weathering the conditions and not letting anything get away from him, which he did to near perfection. He finished his second round with a 1-under 71, highlighted by birdies on Nos. 2 and 4.

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“Obviously been quite difficult out there. I struck the ball really well. I’ve really done everything quite well on the golf course, but most proud of what’s gone on with our course management and just controlling thoughts and expectation and all that,” he said. “These conditions have helped almost lean into the patience and all the things you hear, the clichés. So I feel like I’ve done a great job of that and then hit some good shots alongside that.”

In his fifth Masters start, Homa said he’s doing a better job of taking what the course gives him. More importantly, being okay when a designed shot doesn’t work out.

“I think I’m just aware when you’re out of position, get back in position. Doesn’t have to be the green, doesn’t have to be really anywhere near the green,” he said. “Just make sure, especially these conditions, chipping into the wind best you can. When I had been out of position, I had done a great job of getting back into it. I made some really good putts to make that look even better. But, yeah, just in general, just taking what I get, what the golf course gives me.”

Homa’s playing partner, and five-time Masters champion, thinks it’s just a matter of time for the California native, who has struggled in majors to date.

“Well, he’s got all the talent in the world,” Woods said. “I got a chance to play with him at the Open Championship at St. Andrews, and his ball flight, as solid as he hits it, it’s just a matter of time before he starts winning in bunches. I saw it up front; he doesn’t really mishit shots. That’s something you just have to do around this golf course.”