It was undoubtedly one of the images from the US Open preview this Monday. Max Homa with the bag on his shoulder during 38 holes seeking the pass for his sixth consecutive US Open. A very unusual image for a world-class golfer like Max.
Now we know why. Less than two months after bringing on Bill Harke as his new caddie, the Californian golfer has decided to dispense with his services, according to Associated Press journalist Doug Ferguson. The move marks the second caddie change this year for Homa, after ending a long six-year professional relationship with Joe Greiner in March.
Homa himself, currently ranked 90th in the world, avoided confirming the split with Harke after missing out on the US Open this Monday: “I’d rather talk about golf than answer questions about the caddie,” concluded the six-time PGA Tour winner.
Homa decided to tackle the 36 holes of the day carrying his own bag, without a caddie by his side. It’s true he could have chosen someone else to carry the bag this week, but Homa wanted to face it this way: “My mood going solo was pretty good. Interestingly, I seem to be calmer when I don’t have anyone next to me,” he confessed after the round. “It was quite a peaceful day, a sort of personal struggle where I had no one to vent to. Sometimes, that can help.”
Max came close to surpassing the qualifier for Oakmont, a three-putt on the 18th hole led him to a playoff with five players for just one spot. The ticket ended up in the hands of Cameron Young, leaving Homa without even a spot as a reserve.
Max only has one chance left to secure the ticket to his sixth consecutive US Open: winning the RBC Canadian Open this week and climbing into the top-60 in the world rankings.
For that challenge, he will have a new caddie: Lance Bennett, who worked at last year’s Masters with Tiger Woods and, more recently, with Michael Thorbjornsen. Adam Schupack has reported that the veteran caddie will carry Max’s bag in Canada.
Bennett is a caddie with extensive experience in the world of golf, with more than two decades on the PGA Tour, being part of the circuit since 2003. Originally from Prince George, Virginia, Bennett has worked with many of the world’s top players. Beyond working with Tiger Woods, he has carried the bag for Sungjae Im and Davis Riley. Over the years, he has also collaborated with other notable names such as Matt Kuchar, Bill Haas, Juli Inkster, Lorena Ochoa, and Paula Creamer.
The caddie shuffle on the circuit continues to make waves. In fact, Joe Greiner —Homa’s former partner— has just signed with Collin Morikawa, who in turn was left by JJ Jakovac, now serving Thorbjornsen.
