Max Homa Misses U.S. Open Qualifier After Caddie Split in Ohio

Max Homa faced a challenging setback during the U.S. Open qualifiers in Columbus, Ohio, where he carried his own bag after parting ways with his caddie, Bill Harke, who "lost his job" after a brief two-month partnership. Homa, once a world No. 10 and a regular U.S. Open participant, shot 5-under 139 but missed automatic qualification by three-putting on the final hole, leading to a five-man playoff that he ultimately lost to Cameron Young. Despite the disappointment and a tough start to his 2025 season marked by multiple missed cuts, Homa remained composed and engaged positively with fans. He expressed mixed feelings about walking alone without a caddie, suggesting it brought a certain peace and forced him to confront challenges independently. The qualifier offered six spots for the U.S. Open at Oakmont, but Homa's performance fell just short, marking his first missed qualification since 2019. His struggles highlight a significant decline from his previous status and underscore the impact of recent caddie instability on his game.