MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 13, 2024

Max Homa

Quick Quotes

Q. How would you assess today in general?

MAX HOMA: Hard, very patient. I would say frustrating at times, but also really, really pleased with it.

I don't know what more I could have done. Could I have seen some putts go in, but I don't hate how I putt.

Started the ball on the line a lot. The greens got really fast. So adjusting to that took a couple holes.

Just hard to get it close to the hole. Didn't play the par-5s well on the front. Got a funky lie on 2. Other than that, I was pretty happy with that.

Q. It seems like you were playing pretty conservative off the tee on the par-5s. Was that part of your game plan? Kind of walk us through the strategy on 15.

MAX HOMA: I just don't draw my driver real well. I can hit that low hook with the 3-wood that goes far. I had a 5-iron into 2. That wasn't a lack of aggression, I don't think. It just fit better, and it goes as far as my cut, a perfect cut.

8, I played conservatively to the left so I could have a full number in my third.

Then 13, yeah, 13 is probably the one where I guess, if I could do something, it would be to do what Bryson did. We kind of have to play that one just if we have a great number, we'll go. I could have gone today.

Then 15 I have to hit the nuts if it's into the wind in general. I actually just wanted to make a smooth swing. I would say that's the most conservative, but I kind of liked it because I watched what he did and it's a hard second shot with how firm the greens are to that pin.

I think, maybe if there was a back right pin, something that fit a little better, I might give it a little bit more off the tee.

It's been working. I'm a very good wedge player, so I like to rely on that.

Q. You haven't really been in the mix in majors. You're just off the course for the round. Can you speak to what you'll do tonight and just how stoked you are about being here tomorrow?

MAX HOMA: Yeah, I came here with the gratitude and appreciation that I get to do it. I'm happy I get to do it tomorrow. I'm going to remind myself I'm a dog and I'm ready for this moment.

Q. Are you one who imagines it happening, or are you one who tried to stay present? Different cliches where you got the whole spectrum in those things?

MAX HOMA: All of it. If I catch myself thinking about what could go wrong, I let myself dream about what could go right. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. I didn't know what was going to happen today.

If you told me I made no birdies today, I would have thought I imploded. You just kind of go with the flow. I let myself go both ways. Once I'm playing, I'm very present.

Q. How would you describe the challenge when you wake up tomorrow morning and know what the day will be like?

MAX HOMA: Very glad I got through it today. It was very tough. I left the gym, and all of a sudden the nerves hit. I'm glad I did it once before.

I had a lot of firsts. Playing with Tiger the first two days. Playing in the last group on Saturday. I feel like going into tomorrow I have a good game plan of how I'm going to approach the morning, and I'm quite excited about it.

Q. (No microphone).

MAX HOMA: I just think I'll be comfortable with it. Just because I was nervous didn't mean I couldn't do anything. I had an impossibly hard chip on 1 and got up-and-down.

I think that's the thing, is I was really nervous on 18 and put it right in the middle. I don't know, just because you're nervous and uncomfortable doesn't mean you're not going to succeed. I feel like I showed myself that. Even if I am nervous tomorrow, just embrace it a little bit.

Q. Just that game plan that you're talking about, where does the unique aspects of Augusta fit into that? Not knowing exactly what's going on on the scoreboard? Not knowing what's going on at any given time? Have you gotten there yet of how to handle those things?

MAX HOMA: No, I guess I'll learn that tomorrow. I've had pretty good success on Sundays. I've won seven tournaments worldwide in the last few years, so I get how it all works.

There's going to be maybe unique opportunities. Like if today was tomorrow and we had that shot on 15, I might have gone for it, but maybe not. You still have to pick your spots.

I remember DiMarco playing against Tiger in '05, and he laid up on 15. He got asked a lot of questions about laying up, but I think he got birdie. It doesn't change the score necessarily. That shot is very difficult. You need a good number, and I didn't have one today, but tomorrow is another day, and we'll just see what we got.

Q. Is there some research that you've done?

MAX HOMA: No, I've watched all the Masters probably 700 times, especially the Tiger ones.

Q. One more day tomorrow, but what have you learned about yourself this week?

MAX HOMA: I'm a very good golfer. I learned that, so I'm going to take that one with me.