They are mostly just numbers, often separated by a couple of zeros and commas. In this case, these zeros and commas signify a prize pool in golf. These are numbers that have grown so much it makes you numb.
Even though it’s no longer utilized as a benchmark to regulate PGA Tour standings, money is still significant at the end. FedEx points aren’t spent, but cash on the other hand does. If you consider yourself a professional golfer who pays to go around the country from your pocket, the massive numbers will look like a dream.
Max Homa’s Victory
So, on Sunday afternoon at Quail Hollow, you could find Max Homa. He was cruising comfortably to his very first PGA Tour win with a remarkable 4-under-par at the renowned Wells Fargo Championship. However, it’s the numbers that impressed him as he managed to walk away with a jaw-dropping $1.42 million. A prize pool that he could only dream of taking home before he started playing in the championship.
Most of you will shrug at the news of Max Homa, and why not? Most professional golfers make several million during their careers. Justin Rose has managed to make over $2.5 million in 2019 and doesn’t even feature in the top 10. Matt Kuchar, currently leading the FedEx Cup points won $1.2 million and has made a total of $49 million in his golfing career.
To give you an idea of Max Homa and his winning streak we have to go back two years. In 2017, he participated in a full schedule of championship and tournaments and only managed to take home a total of $18,000.
So, the prize money he received on Sunday evening seemed a bit obscene. There’s no denying that the prize money will be eaten by travel expenses, lodging, caddie fees, and taxes, but it signifies something authentic to a golf player that was missing cuts two years ago at an alarming rate.
Max Homa’s Career
Max Homa managed to win the NCAA Individual title in 2013 at California. Within the same year, he found himself on the U.S Walker Cup team alongside Justin Thomas. Both golfers decided to turn pro after that, making their debuts in the PGA Tour at the Safeway Open. This is where Max Homa managed to tie for 9th. Both players also managed to make it to the 2015 PGA Tour.
However, while Justin Thomas managed to develop into one of the most elite players in the world, Max Homa had a difficult time to find his feet. In 2015, he lost his tour card after the season ended and had to make a return to the web.com Tour. He eventually got his card back but only made two cuts from 17 tournaments in 2017. Therefore, it’s quite phenomenal to see how Max Homa made it from the bottom right to the top in 2019.