Max Homa is excited to see how some recent changes to his game hold up under the pressure of competition ahead of his title defence at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Since missing out on qualifying for the Tour Championship on the PGA TOUR in August, the American has made just two Tour-level starts.
In that time, Homa has focused his attention on his swing after splitting with instructor Mark Blackburn ahead of helping the United States win the Presidents Cup.
After continued fine-tuning on that and his address position, the 34-year-old heads a field full of stars in optimistic spirits as he prepares to tee it up over Gary Player Country Club.
“It’s always nice to come back to a place with some really good memories,” he said.
“This isn’t very close to home, but it feels a little like a home away from home for the week. It was really fun last year, and I’ve had a great week so far so happy to be here.
“I made a bunch of changes the last three months or so, so it is good to get to come to a golf tournament and test them out.
“I feel good, I feel like I know what I am doing. I just need to be under some pressure to see what feels like what and go on from there.”
World Number 35 Homa secured a four-shot victory on his Nedbank Golf Challenge debut last November and revealed the memories of that maiden DP World Tour win have come flooding back since stepping back on South African soil.
He spoke last year about his delight at experiencing a new challenge away from home and he is again relishing everything that comes with being back in Sun City.
“It’s great,” he said. “It’s a very good golf course. It’s challenging. Everything about the culture and just getting to come over here… we’re very lucky to travel for our job.
“To get an opportunity to travel across the world for me and experience something new is a real treat.
“I think it is going to be a bit windier than it was last year. For the most part it is the same.
“You need to be in the fairways and if you are you can score. The greens are in really good shape, so people make a ton of putts.
“It’s really a game of precision off the tee and then try and make as many birdies as you can after that. You always want to win so I would love to win.”
