Max Homa Ends Layoff, Shares Lead in South Africa Golf Event

Former Cal golfer Max Homa is coming off the longest break from golf in his career, but he did not show any rustiness in his comeback event, shooting a 6-under-par 66 on Thursday to share the lead after one round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, South Africa.

Maybe the safari that he and Justin Thomas experienced benefited his golf game.

Homa sank a 16-foot birdie putt on the 18^th hole to share the lead with Nicolai Hojgaard, Dan Bradbury and Vincent Norrman in this European Tour event.

Homa, who is ranked No. 8 in the world, has not played competitively since participating in the Ryder Cup in Rome, which was completed on October 1. His last stroke-play event was the Fortinet Championship in mid-September. 

Furthermore, a Tuesday practice round for this week's event in South Africa was canceled because of rain.

So Homa said it was “mildly shocking” that he produced a bogey-free round at the Gary Player Golf and Country Club.

"I learned I can be uncomfortable and play well, which is cool," said Homa.

Homa called a safari trip that he and Thomas participated in "life-changing." (Homa’s safari experience is noted on the Nedbank Golf website.)

"Sometimes golfers, and myself in particular, try to feel as perfect as possible going into events, and I felt far from that. I knew it wasn't going to be perfect, so I think I had a nice game plan and tried to settle me into feeling a little bit off out there and almost dumb it down a little bit. That's what I learned."

Homa picked up a birdie with a 25-foot putt on No. 6, and recorded three birdies on the final five holes.

"I've just got to keep the ball in front of me and do my best to limit mistakes, like I did today," Homa said.

Here is a Homa tweet posted before embarking on the trip to South Africa.