End of an Era for Homa and Longtime Looper

Max Homa will have a new face carrying his bag at this week’s Valero Texas Open, marking the end of his six-year partnership with childhood friend and caddie Joe Greiner. The duo, who first met as kids playing at Vista Valencia Golf Course in Los Angeles, had been together for all six of Homa’s PGA Tour victories and his Ryder Cup appearances.

“It’s sad to see him go,” Homa said in an emotional statement. “Joe and I made memories for a lifetime. I’ll always be grateful to have walked the fairways with one of my best friends.”

New Team, New Look for Struggling Star
Veteran caddie Bill Harke (Chris Kirk, Jonas Blixt) will take over bag duties as Homa continues a year of sweeping changes:

• Switched from Titleist to Cobra equipment
• Changed coaches (now working with John Scott Rattan)
• Signed new apparel deal with Lululemon

The transformations come during Homa’s worst professional slump. The former world top-10 player has missed every cut in full-field events since July 2024 and has plummeted to No. 78 in the world rankings – his lowest position since 2020.

Masters Motivation
Homa’s T3 finish at last year’s Masters guarantees him an Augusta spot, but his recent form raises questions. After shooting 79-71 at The Players Championship, he gave a raw assessment: “It’s hard to care this much and get nothing back. It’s like a toxic relationship – and I might be the toxic one.”

The Valero Texas Open represents a critical tune-up opportunity before the year’s first major. With Greiner gone and Harke stepping in, golf fans will be watching closely to see if this change sparks the turnaround Homa desperately needs.

Valero Texas Open – Round 2 Leaderboard (Top 10)

1. Brian Harman (-9) [Thru 9]
2. Keith Mitchell (-8) [Thru 5]
T3. Sam Ryder (-7) [F]
T3. Matt Wallace (-7) [F]
T5. Stephen Fisk (-6) [Thru 3]
T5. Daniel Berger (-6) [F]
T5. Cameron Young (-6) [F]
T5. Emiliano Grillo (-6) [F]
T5. Andrew Novak (-6) [F]
T10. Ryo Hisatsune (-5) [Thru 11]
T10. Patrick Cantlay (-5) [Thru 9]
T10. Henrik Norlander (-5) [F]
T10. Harry Hall (-5) [F]
T10. Benjamin James (-5) [F]