Max Homa reflects on getting Jim Furyk’s Presidents Cup pick over Justin Thomas amid criticism
US team captain Jim Furyk on Tuesday announced his six picks for the 2024 Presidents Cup. The veteran selected newly appointed Ryder Cup skipper Keegan Bradley alongside Sam Burns, Tony Finau, Brian Harman, Russell Henley and Max Homa. Notably, the picks have since received some criticism.
Furyk’s decision to pick Homa received the most flak. Several fans came forward to question Homa's selection over the likes of Justin Thomas, and others. The 33-year-old had an average 2024 season. Having had only one top-five finish in the majors (T3 at Masters) and a missed cut at the US Open, Homa was not predicted to be in the Presidents Cup side.
Despite the criticism, the PGA Tour star noted he was “honored and excited” to play for Team USA. He admitted to being “fortunate for the opportunity” offered to him by Furyk.
Max Homa wrote on X:
“So honored and excited to be playing for Team USA in this year’s President’s Cup. There is nothing quite like these events, and playing alongside my teammates is something I always cherish. I feel fortunate for the opportunity and look forward to the challenge.”
For the unversed, Homa’s T13 at the 2022 PGA Championship became his best major championship finish since 2019. The six-time PGA Tour winner finished the FedExCup season placing 46th with 1,288 points. He made three top-three finishes and missed cuts at three events from 20 outings.
Coming off of a T33 finish at the BMW Championship, Homa has a lot to make up for at the Presidents Cup being played at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal the week of Sept. 24-29, 2024.
Jim Furyk defends Max Homa’s Presidents Cup pick
Furyk came under fire for his Presidents Cup captain’s picks on Tuesday. The 54-year-old was questioned why he went with Max Homa over Justin Thomas and Akshay Bhatia when they outplayed the former this season.
However, the skipper went all out to defend his selection and said he didn’t know if it was right to “look at it is why this guy versus that guy.”
Replying to a media query about Max Homa’s selection, Jim Furyk said in a press conference, as quoted by ASAP Sports:
“I definitely don't want this to be about why one person was picked over another. I don't know if the right way to look at it is why this guy versus that guy.
I look at Max's attributes and look at how he's played the last two years. Undefeated record in Charlotte, our best record last year in Rome, and I think then you go to a lot of the intangibles, as well, as far as -- I guess when I say an emotional leader, I also look at kind of the glue, a guy that pulls the team room together.”
Furyk admitted that Max Homa isn’t the “most popular” pick. He claimed that the PGA Tour star was more of a team player.
While calling him a ‘natural’ at dealing with pressure situations, Furyk stated that the 33-year-old has a “way of drawing folks into him” and dubbed him “kind of the glue on a team.” He also lauded Homa’s social media presence.