“Will never accept giving up” – Max Homa gets emotional after settling for second at the Genesis Invitational
For Max Homa, the Genesis Invitational is a home event and that's why winning it meant the most to him. He did it once in 2021, which is the highlight of his career. He was close this time as well but fell two strokes short of Jon Rahm.
Homa couldn't control his emotions in the post-match interview as winning at Riveria Country Club meant so much to him.
"It hurts me not to win... It hurts me not to. When I won in '21, nobody was here, you know? And it hurts me to not be able to do that with everyone here, my family and friends, but I tried, man," Homa said. "Sorry, this tournament just means a lot to me. It's like an emotional release. But yeah, the support I get here is so cool, so I'mma win it again and be able to do it in front of these people."
When Homa won the Genesis Invitational in 2021, his family and friends couldn't witness the memorable moment due to COVID-19 norms. But this time everyone was there on Sunday and Homa tried his best too. After losing the 36-hole lead to Jon Rahm on Saturday, he fought hard in the fourth round, but it was not sufficient to defeat Rahm.
Homa began the day trailing behind three shots from Rahm but soon caught up with the Spaniard with 5 holes remaining. However, Rahm hit two birdies in the next three holes, while Homa holed out a bogey on the 13th and all pars after that.
“I'm very proud. I did not have it off the tee today, but man, I fought. I'm not disappointed in my golf, I'm just disappointed in the ending," said Homa.
Sometimes u win, and unfortunately sometimes u lose. But I will never accept giving up. And today I’ll say that I’m proud of the fight. We will be back, and we will be ready. Thank u to the city of LA, and everyone else, for the support. I love u guys. LA for life #golf #pvo
"Sometimes u win, and unfortunately sometimes u lose. But I will never accept giving up. And today I’ll say that I’m proud of the fight. We will be back, and we will be ready. Thank u to the city of LA, and everyone else, for the support. I love u guys. LA for life #golf #pvo"
Rahm has won three tournaments this year and Homa has won two this season, making them the only two players to have multiple wins this season. Jon has won at Sentry TOC, American Express, and Genesis Invitational, with three wins in five starts. Homa's two wins came at the Fortinet Championship and Farmers Insurance Open. Both sit on the 1st and 2nd of the FedExCup Standings.
Genesis Invitational 2023 leaderboard
Here's the leaderboard for the Genesis Invitational 2023:
- 1 J. Rahm 17-under 267
- 2 M. Homa 15-under 269
- 3 P. Cantlay 14-under 270
- 4 W. Zalatoris 13-under 271
- 5 K. Mitchell 12-under 272
- T6 C. Morikawa 11-under 273
- T6 S. Theegala 11-under 273
- 8 M. Kuchar 10-under 274
- T9 J. Day 9-under 275
- T9 G. Woodland 9-under 275
- T9 A. Svensson 9-under 275
- T12 S. Scheffler 8-under 276
- T12 H. English 8-under 276
- T14 T. Hoge 7-under 277
- T14 S. Power 7-under 277
- T14 S. Lowry 7-under 277
- T14 D. McCarth 7-under 277
- T18 D. Willett 6-under 278
- T18 L. Hodges 6-under 278
- T20 P. Malnati 5-under 279
- T20 V. Hovland 5-under 279
- T20 T. Finau 5-under 279
- T20 R. Fowler 5-under 279
- T20 N. Lashley 5-under 279
- T20 J. Thomas 5-under 279
- T20 C. Young 5-under 279
- T20 T. Fleetwood 5-under 279
- T20 S. Ryder 5-under 279