Bryce Miller: Wisecracking, talented golfer Max Homa loves San Diego -- but not the Padres
Published in Golf
SAN DIEGO — It says it right there in the PGA Tour bio of Max Homa: “Favorite city is San Diego.” Now we’re talking. There’s someone near the top of the leaderboard at the hallway point of the Farmers Insurance Open for the locals to wrap their tanned arms around.
No need to build a rooting-interest case for fans zig-zagging the emerald cliffsides at Torrey Pines the next two days. It’s already signed, sealed and delivered — in five words.
“I’m a Southern California boy through and through,” Homa said.
Consider it done. Warm up the pipes to cheer him along. Jam the gallery like people fighting for a checkout-line spot at Costco.
But wait … Homa had more he wanted to say after moving to 6-under and into a six-man knot for fourth Wednesday. He probably felt the need to gush about our seaside scenes, brag about our food, explain how everywhere else is a mere bridesmaid in comparison.
Get the statue and parade grand marshal sash ready. Max Homa, Mr. San Diego.
“I hate the Padres,” said Homa, a Dodgers fan through and through. So if they don’t like that part, they can boo me. I’d rather get booed than be a Padres fan.”
Homa chuckled. He knows the bear-poking he’s doing, the incongruousness of those two statements, the kerosene in which he’s soaking his remaining two days on our golfing front porch showcased on national TV.
Read the room? He’d rather read something light, like the Articles of Confederation, than feign liking one of the biggest chest-puffing things about a city he claims to adore.
Speaking and sometimes losing his mind on social media led a Golfweek story to crown him the “golf Twitter GOAT” this week. Poking fun about a grouchy run-in between world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and LIV Golf lightning rod Patrick Reed at a recent driving-range run in showed his brilliant and biting wit.
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