Max Homa returned to form last weekend with an unlikely top-five finish at the John Deere Classic.
Homa had not finished in the top 50 since the Truist Championship in May, missing the cut twice in the process, so he was not expected to contend at TPC Deere Run.
However, the 34-year-old even held the lead at one point on Sunday before eventually settling for fifth place alongside Matt Kuchar and three other players.
Homa’s strong performance at the John Deere Classic has reopened the discussion about his chances of making the United States Ryder Cup team for September.
Smylie Kaufman outlines Max Homa’s Ryder Cup chances
Homa is still only 38th in the US Ryder Cup standings after his T5 at the John Deere Classic, leaving him with almost no chance to make the team.
Former PGA Tour player Smylie Kaufman admitted on his podcast that Homa is probably “too far out,” but he can take inspiration from Justin Thomas.
Two years ago, Thomas missed the FedEx Cup Playoffs after a difficult season and was still picked for the Ryder Cup squad for Rome.
Kaufman suggested what Homa needs to do in the coming weeks to force his way into Keegan Bradley’s plans: “He’s got to win down the stretch, and he doesn’t need to finish outside the top five. That would get him in the bubble.
“Maybe he’s a partner for somebody. He’s got to have luck go his way as far as who he would be partnered with. It’s got to really look good on the sheet of paper in front of the captains. I don’t see a scenario where he’s on the team, but I would love to be wrong. I just think he’s too far out.
“I think the scenario that he can play back is Justin Thomas missing the playoffs a couple of years ago and making that Ryder Cup team in Rome. Max has a potential opportunity to be in that same situation, but maybe he plays his way into the playoffs, which I think is what he has to do.
“If he plays his way into the playoffs, all of a sudden, you get hot at the right time, and next thing you’re at the Tour Championship. That’s when it will get really difficult for Keegan [Bradley] because you’ve definitely got to weigh the whole year versus just a hot stretch.”
Smylie Kaufman shares opinion on Max Homa’s swing at John Deere Classic
Kaufman watched Homa closely at the John Deere Classic and thinks he noticed an improvement in his iron game.
“I think his iron swing looked really good this week,” he added. “It just looked like his arms and the golf club were more out in front of him.
“That helped him be able to get the ball started left and actually hit a fade. You know, just those little feeler fade shots… I haven’t seen him be quite as good with those this year.
“If anything, to me, he has had a two-way miss with his iron game. He has missed greens left with left pins.”
Homa’s iron play was arguably the strongest part of his game when he was in the top 10 in the world rankings, so it would be hugely important if he could return to that level.
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