Max Homa makes move after playing casual round at North Berwick

NORTH BERWICK, Scotland – Max Homa’s back was sore and his legs were tired, but getting to play one of Scotland’s historic links was worth it. And it may have helped him get back in contention at the Genesis Scottish Open.

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North Berwick’s West Links is just a nine-minute drive from the venue for this week’s Genesis Scottish Open and Homa wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to play a course that he thought “looked like the coolest course in the world” after seeing it on YouTube.

“It became my favorite course I had never played,” Homa said. “I knew I was going to be beat but it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime things and I’d be kicking myself if I didn’t play.”

Homa had already passed on a round at historic Muirfield because his caddie’s clubs didn’t arrive on time. He wasn’t going to miss North Berwick, as well. Golf has been played on the course since the 17th century, and it is known as the home of the original Redan hole and for the ancient wall that runs through several of the holes.

Homa teed off at 4:30 p.m. Friday with caddie Joe Greiner, swing coach Mark Blackburn and North Berwick assistant pro Scott Gillies. All four birdied the 18th hole around 8:30 p.m. and Homa was proud to report that he and Greiner, who are friends since childhood, “drummed” Blackburn and Gillies. Photo and video of the round started circulating on social media Friday night, as well.

“Playing the first Redan makes it neat,” said Homa, who also eagled North Berwick’s par-5 eighth hole after hitting 3-wood from 212 yards. “It was one of the best golf experiences I’ve ever had.

”He made the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open with a shot to spare after opening with consecutive 71s. He birdied his opening hole of the third round and added another eagle on the third hole. He made just one birdie over the next 15 holes, at the par-5 10th, but also was bogey-free for the day.

Homa ranks 10th in the FedExCup after two wins this season and a high finish could also help him in his Presidents Cup candidacy, as he sits eighth in the U.S. standings.