Max Homa drops Tiger tale: "I always thought that was fascinating about him"
Multiple PGA Tour winner Max Homa has revealed what he believes makes Tiger Woods so special and why you simply have to watch Rory McIlroy in person.
Anyone who has been in Tiger Woods' orbit appears to have a story about the hall of famer and Max Homa is no different.
Ahead of his defence of the Farmers Insurance Open, Homa shared a tale from one of his first encounters as a professional with the iconic golfer.
Homa explained the aura around Woods is just plain different. "Just the vibe around him," Homa said, smiling.
"One year there was a fog delay and we were all stuck on the putting green, and he's playing with two very popular and amazing golfers, Billy Horschel and Rickie [Fowler].
"The first day there was a thousand people on the putting green and the next day - he had withdrawn that afternoon - there was the same fog delay and there were like 22 people around us.
"It was like 'dang, this guy really controls the world.' Just stuff like that I always thought was fascinating about him."
Homa also had a story about Woods' mind-boggling 2008 U.S. Open win at Torrey Pines.
You'll likely remember Woods won that major - on one leg - in a playoff against Rocco Mediate.
Woods sunk a 12-foot putt for birdie at the 72nd to force extra holes.
Expect anything different?!
It was arguably Woods' greatest triumph.
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Homa said: "One hole, 15, another bear of a hole, I remember [Woods] hit a massive drive and it looked like he hit a 9-iron and spun it back to like two feet.
"That's the hole that I just remember sticks out so much to me. It's graceful and it's powerful, something you have to almost see up close.
"That's what I say about Rory. If you're going to come to a golf tournament, I suggest at least watching him hit one or two drivers because it doesn't do it justice on TV, you kind of need to see it."
Neither Woods nor McIlroy are in the field at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Woods is likely to make his first start of 2024 at the Genesis Invitational.
It is anticipated that is when Woods and his equipment manufacturer, TaylorMade, will launch their new apparel line called Sunday Red.
McIlroy is expected to make his first start on the PGA Tour at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am over 1-4 February.
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