While most of the discussion on the PGA Tour right now centres around the FedEx Cup play-offs, the thoughts of Jim Furyk will firmly be on his team for the Presidents Cup in Montreal next month.
There is one final event which counts towards automatic qualification, with the top six booking their ticket to Canada as America look to continue their dominance in the event. As things stand, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay and Sahith Theegala occupy those top six spots.
Even with six captain’s picks, Furyk is not going to face an easy task completing his team, with the likes of Tony Finau, Brian Harman, Sam Burns and Justin Thomas amongst those hoping to do enough to be involved.
It is an important event for the US following their dismal showing at the Ryder Cup in Rome last year. The number of positives from that event can probably be counted on one hand.
But the American who surely emerged with the most credit was Max Homa, with Rory McIlroy proving to be the only player on either side to claim more points than the 33-year-old.
Writer wouldn’t be surprised if Max Homa missed out on Presidents Cup pick
It has been a tough season for Homa, and with that, Ryan Lavner has told the Golf Channel Podcast that he would not be stunned if he missed out on receiving a pick from Furyk.
“Max Homa has struggled mightily, just finished DFL in Memphis, it has not been a good summer at all, right now, he’s in the nine spot,” he said.
“With the popularity that he has amongst other PGA Tour players, you’d be hard pressed to leave him off the team. But again, Max Homa, all the way down to 19th in the world ranking, wouldn’t be totally surprised if Jim Furyk makes a very hard call and leaves him home.”
A disappointing 2024 which promised plenty
Some may have been expecting this year to be a real breakout year for Homa following his encouraging form in 2022 – he won four points from four at the previous Presidents Cup – and 2023.
However, he has not finished in the top 10 since a tied eighth finish at the Wells Fargo Championship before the second major of the year. He has now finished inside the top 40 in any of his last five events, so there is no question that he is not in the form which makes his pick a formality.
What Homa does have is an amazing record in the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup, so if he is involved, it would not be a shock to see him step up and put his form completely behind him.
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