No Laying Up - Golf Podcast - NLU Podcast, Episode 212: Max Homa

Episode Date: May 7, 2019

NLU pod favorite Max Homa joins to recap his win the previous day at the Wells Fargo Championship. He breaks down how nervous he was, what he did during the rain delay, and reflects on the winding road that lead him to this victory. Thanks a ton to Max for taking time out of the celebration to share some thoughts, and a sincere congrats from all of NLU nation.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you serious right now? I try calling you dude! Are you serious? I called you and your voice feels full! You got the wrong number probably. Are you serious? Did you just win? Dude, yeah, I thought you were more mad about the pun. No! No! I was just kidding!

You just won! Yeah, shout out Big Randy. The team was making a comeback. But I gotta run. I don't know if you're with the boys, but tell them I said what's up. I'm going to run real quick. I'm in Philly. Let's chat tomorrow. Yeah, I'll call you tomorrow.

Just text me. All right, congrats, bro. Thank you. Thanks, buddy. See ya. Let's get it right, club. Feed a right club today. That is better than most. How about it? Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the No-ing Up podcast a day late and for good reason

Tron and I are here in Minnesota doing a bit of travel. So we weren't anywhere together last night. We were watching the golf yesterday, the Wells Fargo Championship and are not our young hitter, but a hitter adjunct hitter. Max Homa is your Wells Fargo champion and he's here. He's with us right now. What's going on today? How bad's the hangover? It was not good. We had a rough drive to the airport this morning.

Honestly, now that I'm so rich, I considered flying on private in Rizzo as a completely poor financial decision. But at the time of the about eight o'clock when the hangover hit the hardest, I highly considered it for the first time in my life. What did you do last night? We honestly didn't do much. We were at the course for quite some time.

I didn't realize how much stuff you do. Obviously, there's so many people who think, but we were there for so long and they kept kind of feeding us drinks, which was great. And then we went back to Joe, my caddy's host family, Seda, and they're awesome. And Mike, the dad there, he was kind of feeding me shots, feeding me beers. Joe was just guzzling down wine and we woke up this morning and we slept on bunk beds, and I felt like complete trash. Yeah, what do you, like, what do you do? Just take us through the couple hours right after you win.

Like, dude, it's wild. I mean, you don't think about it at all. Like, you really, I didn't even like consider how long you have to be there. But I mean, obviously it's all fun, but yeah, you finish, go sign your car, but that took a while. I felt, you know, kind of bad because you don't want to keep, you know, somebody else who, you know,

Duffner was kind enough to be, you know, good support, but I'm sure it's not kind of waiting, you know, 10 extra minutes, but you kind of get bombarded. Then all of a sudden, you, you know, finish signing the car, you go out and do a couple TV things, and you go back to the green and do the trophy presentation. And then the hardest part is you got to hold the trophy and take about a hundred thousand pictures. I mean that gets a little, I wouldn't say oh obviously you love it but I mean it's heavy. It's actually difficult. Thoughts and prayers to my children. But yeah, thoughts and prayers. But yeah, I sucked it up for all the cameraman and women.

I'm a pretty polite guy. So I fortunately sucked it up. And after that, you do, I would do. I would do a classy champagne toast. I had Bud Light in my champagne glass. Don't tell anybody. And then we were finally about done. I signed 150 flags after that.

And then we were good to go, but they were so, so cool. I mean, they helped us with everything. courtesy car they took care of for me. They were going to get us anywhere we needed to go. But fortunately, we had that host family that hooked us up and gave us free booze, which we will never say no to. Well, and then you had the press conference too. And you told me. Oh, press conference. Yeah. I called you guys before that. I may have called the wrong number. But I called you guys before that. And I was like, all right, I'm going. I'm

to tell, tell them, hey, I promised you one thing. I'm doing it. And I get no response. I'm like, all right, screw it. I got to go inside. What was the one thing you promised us? That was going to pot it up before I did the media. So before, yeah, morning of your time for the lead, I was like, all right, Max, just promise me one thing. Before you go to the press conference, you have to call into the podcast first. I didn't think you'd actually like remember to do it and you did. Oh, I remember. I was like, all right, this is gonna be perfect.

I'm not gonna be able to do it for very long, but that they'll, you know, we'll all appreciate it and be funny. And then of course, I must have doubt on them. So I mean, how does it, I don't know where to start really, but was that the rain delay that happened when you had about a five footer left on the 14th hole? Was that the best or the worst thing that could happen for you?

That was the worst thing that could have possibly happened, and now it's the best, because, man, I don't think I could feel more proud after that. I've been trying to be really open with my coach and my caddy Joe about what I'm feeling and how I'm doing. We've been trying to have a more open line of communication instead of trying to be some cool guy who's like and my caddy Joe about what I'm feeling and how I'm doing. We've been trying to have a more open line of communication instead of trying to be some cool guys. Like, oh, I'm not nervous, no, I'm good, you know. And when we came out of that rain delay,

I was hitting balls and I mean, my stomach was going nuts and I looked at him, I'm like, Joe, this is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I think I'm gonna throw up and he goes, yeah, it's supposed to be hard. And I'm like, all right. You're right, it is. It is normal. And we just kind of went back to work. And when I made that putt, that was the first time. I knew that was a big deal. Because if I miss it, you could kind of spiral. That's the problem is when we were just kind of vibe and going into that hole. If I

make bogie, it's not the end of the world. Because you just kind of keep cruising. But when you come back from that delay, you have time to think all of a sudden it felt like if I miss it, things could get going not great. I don't like the T-shirt on 15 and obviously 16 through 18 are quite hard. So making that putt it pretty much in my head, if I make that putt I win. I told myself that a few times in my head and I was like just, you know, kind of grinding back in there and and roll one in. But yeah, it was not a great timing. I will say that. Well, we were talking us as a group, when we were in that rain delay,

internally we were like, all right, the, we have a text thread with you with all of us that just called class acts. And we said, all right, we're treating this the class acts thread like it's a perfect game right now, right? Nobody has a picture. No one has a picture that's perfect.

Nobody say anything to Max. And Trond is comes flying in there and sends you the shirts or pictures. Yeah, well I said, you know what? Let's treat it normal, because, you know, well, hey, we saw you up doing media. You did the TV interview during the reign delay, which everybody was shocked about.

Yeah, I didn't even know if you could say no to that. I mean, dude, honestly at that point, that was the worst interview I ever got. I couldn't think, I couldn't talk. I thought I was gonna puke on Amanda, who's one of my best friends. I was like, this is gonna be so bad. I was just trying to stay upright.

And then all of a sudden, people start texting me about it. I'm like, did I just do the wrong thing? Like what I do. I'm like, no, I'm like, I'm such a rookie. If we just treat it normally, like the worst thing we want is for you to be way up in your own head and alone with your thoughts.

If you got somebody kind of distracting you from stuff, see? No, I appreciate it, honestly. It was good. I called my fiance Lacey and I said, hey, don't talk to me about the golf, but what are you doing? And so we started talking and then I called my text of my coach and tried to keep it normal. And then obviously I talked to you guys more than everybody,

which was kind of fun until I think I was like four minutes from going back out and you guys are still blowing me up. And I'm like, all right, I do have to go play. I was like, I gotta get going at some point. I don't want my phone a lot, but that might be a little too much. Were you really not looking at leaderboards to that point? Yeah, I did a great job. That was the first first for me. I told myself the night before

I wasn't going to look at a board till 14 because the day before when I played with Rory, that was obviously a big, big, you know, whole thing going on there. And I kind of knew that he would play good. And I kind of let myself play a little match play with them just in general because I knew he'd have a solid day and I knew I could get caught up a little bit too much in the the whole golf tournament and trying to win it on a Saturday Which is obviously kind of like a big no-no? So I remember I looked at the leaderboard on five and Joe caught me and he looked at me and goes Don't you dare look at that leaderboard and I was like, okay, and he goes,

just keep doing what you're doing. And I'm like, all right, no more leaderboard till we get finished 14. That was kind of the funny part about the whole. Randalay was it happened while I was on 14. I promised I wasn't gonna look till after 14. So I didn't look, didn't look, didn't look, didn't look during the Randalay.

And I finally asked Joe while we were walking. I said, hey, man, do you know where we stand? And he goes, yeah, of course. And I was like, all right, well, should I know? And he goes, sure. And he told me, I'm like, and I thought I had maybe a one shot lead, maybe two. And he's like, you're up three. And I'm like, are you serious? I don't know if that made me more nervous. I was going to say, all of a sudden, I felt like John Van Develle out there. Well, I was going through your Twitter timeline and you had referred Game of Thrones boiler coming.

You had referred to the Night King as being the Jean Van de Valet and I was like, oh my god, if he ends up blowing this, that's going to be a good reason. Yeah, I know. I thought about on 18 hours. Like, you have three really, really, you're going to do this yourself. So I guess that kind of answers the question of when you started to get nervous. I mean, would you wake up, is it all you're thinking about is the fact that you're tied for the league going to that final round? Yeah, the morning sucked so much.

Woke up it went to bed. I actually kind of slept decent. I went to bed at like 12, 30 or 1 and woke up at 7 or 7, 30. So it was actually pretty good. But I mean, these late t-times on Thursday, Friday are so much easier. All of a sudden, you get to Sunday and it feels like your clocks broken. So sitting around, you know, walking around, not knowing what to help do. Stunk. What you do. I chilled in my room. I walked to Whole Foods as slow as possible. Got a little like odd wall of shake. I don't know. Went back through my stretch for as long as I could, watched some TV, tried not to watch too much, you know, if anything that was gone for later. And weird though, super weird when I got back to the course, I was still super nervous. I

also felt, for the first time, you know, you walk into a, into the setting and like, you know, I feel like people are looking at you for the first time ever I want to go whip out my badge to get into the locker room. Like, guys, literally laughed at like you know, I feel like people are looking at you for the first time ever I want to go whip out my badge to get into locker room. The guy's literally laughed at me and goes, I know who you are. I'm like, well, all right, that's the first, sorry. And you know, the thing about playing with Roy on Saturday that was so great though is I got up on Sunday when I got to that first tee, I really wasn't that nervous. I was like, a tent as nervous as the day before, which was weird. So that's kind of when it finally started to settle down. I never really felt that nervous after that until obviously 14 and maybe 17.

But it was more the morning that was rough, not so much like the actual round of golf. It was weird. I told Joe this a couple times, but crazy thing in the world. I just don't know how to explain it. Maybe it means I am pretty decent at this but my stomach was going nuts at a few points in the round mostly, you know, 13-14 and I told them I walked over to them after I made that put on 14. I'm like, dude, this is a crazy phenomenon but my stomach's going crazy and my hands have never felt better on a golf club in my life. And it was cool to know that I could control my emotions and my, you know, my nerve at that time because it was not something I expected.

I expected to have the jello hands a little bit. Did knowing that you had a three shot lead after you saw the board after Joe told you, did that change the way that you played the last four holes? It changed how I played 16, 17 for sure. 16, I knew just keep it fricking right. Right is can be, I mean, I got a bad line, a bunker, but then I knew I could fat it short. I really knew that, I knew almost for a fact in my head

that if I went, if I par that 14th, make that putt, and I birdie 15, I win. You know, I knew I could, I knew I could I knew I could figure out a way to get in the house I thought and better than whatever it was 4 over 3 over and so when I bugged 16 it stunk but you know it's a hard hole 17 getting up there that's the only hole that I think is the has a lot a lot of a lot of trouble like you could make a big old number there So that was the scariest one But I kind of actually hit a really good shot

I aimed at the right edge of the green the funniest part about the whole thing was we had a five iron and It felt like the wind was out of the left and Joe usually tells me it's like just hit at the right edge of the green I'm like right edge of the green and Hit it right there and it kind of drifted right to the green and I looked at him while we're walking off the green. I'm like, yo dude, I think that wind's a little off the left. He goes, oh I know, there's no way in hell I'm telling you that the wind's off the left there. You're not aiming any farther left than that. I'm like, alright cool, we're on the same page, we're both nervous. So it kind of made it easy.

I want to ask about Joe though, because I mean the broadcast was, you know, I touched on a several really cool moments between you guys and how he was ushering your round, and it really gave him a ton of credit. How much did he really have an impact on how you handled yesterday? Yeah, and it's not just yesterday, I think that the cool part was that he finally got some recognition, but he does this stuff every day, whether we're in 40th or 10th or, you know, obviously, contending yesterday. He keeps me loose. He's a great cat, He's a great golfer. He has great golf knowledge and feel. I had a few people tell me this week they're like you know

dude lean on him this week you know like let him help you. You know don't fight it and I knew that on the biggest one for me just as a golf, as around a golf goes was on seven. I blocked it in the right rough and I had a pretty good live, but I had a weird stance and obviously there's water short right. And it's not the easiest shot, but everyone's getting there in two and I only have a six iron in my hand and I'm thinking gosh if I lay up, it's just, you know, not the best. And Joe first thing he says when we walk up there, he goes out like a hundred yards shot up the left. And I'm like, really, I want to hit this six hour and get on the green

To put you know Duff hits it to 15 feet And I'm you know sitting there thinking man this this feels a little conservative and I I obviously wanted to lean on Joe And I remember Justin Thomas texted me a couple nights ago and said to be very very patient Not try to do too much and when I put those two together, I thought, all right, Joe knows, Joe knows what he's doing, man. Just shut the hell up and listen and just hit your freaking wedge down there. And you know, made birdie and I look at him. I'm like, gosh, man, he's smart.

But he keeps me loose too. I mean, we talk about the daughter's lakers, all that stuff. He makes it, he makes it seem easy. He has a great demeanor and again he also knows, knows a ton about golf which is just like the perfect combination. He's got legendary facial hair as well. It's disgusting but best part of the whole week was on Thursday, we're coming on, we're on 14 feet and he's eating an uncrestable and he looks at me and he goes

y'all dude, I got, I always tell him when he has stuff in his beard and it's disgusting. Like a bit weird. I'm like dude, like literally the entire thing is food. Like I just don't know where to even start. And he goes, y'all dude, do I got peanut butter in my beard? I'm like, no, no, you're good. The next day, he shows up to the golf course. He goes, hey remember when I asked you if I had peanut butter

in my beard and I said, yeah, I said, I wasn't lying, there was none in there. And he goes, yeah, he goes, I think it was the same color as my beard because the whole drive home, I was smelling peanut butter and I said, yeah, I said, I wasn't lying. There was none in there. And he goes, yeah, he goes, I think it was the same color as my beard because the whole drive home, I was smelling peanut butter and I found my hand in there and I pulled some out. I'm like, that is just disgusting. So that's not quite legendary facial hair,

but it sure is something to look at, I guess. So coming down the stretch or the whole day yesterday, I mean, what are you thinking about the most? Is it like, all right, I need to win this golf tournament. I wanna win this golf tournament. Or is it like, all right, we need a good finish. Or, I mean, do you allow yourself to think about the result? Yeah, I think the hardest part,

and I've actually thought about this quite a bit, and just like my life as far as like, just kind of thinking about other golfers is, I've always put this thought up Use this hole as an example 18 at Tory Pines Second shot if you hit the fairway. It's obviously a risk to go for it. I don't care how long you are If Phil Mickelson Tiger Woods and myself are in the middle of the fairway and we're all tied for the lead Phil and Tiger have a lot of freedom to go for it and I in some respects

Tiger have a lot of freedom to go for it and I in some respects could lay up, make sure I make par and not lose the opportunity to keep my card, right? That's like a serious thought that I think I'd probably have. I've always hoped that I would get up there and think, screw it, we're winning, we're in this position, that's why we play. But I don't know, that's the hardest part. So the whole kind of weekend, I kept thinking, man, it'd be great to win, but like, you can't, like, don't screw this up.

Like, this is, we gotta have some job security. And it's such a weird blend in your brain because you're, I don't wanna think like that. I felt like I was being kind of soft doing that. And I kept trying to push out of my brain. And I think as the Sunday went on, I did a better and better job of thinking, we're winning this thing, you know, screw seconds, screw third, we're winning this thing. I don't care about the job security. I'll care about winning. Obviously, those things come, come

with it. I'm not going to think about the future. And I think that helped quite a bit. But that was, that was a struggle for sure. Max, that's tough for you to bring up 18 at Tori knowing that knowing that solace a big Kyle Stanley fans That was a tough tough look on that whole but what shots what shots are the toughest like like the one on two Where you miss that green? I was like like I was physically uncomfortable. Yeah, I want to do it. That's tight. We're cohesion Yeah, I felt that was the first time I felt kind of sick because I was like, man, if you dump this thing short, we're just

doing this again and we're guaranteed to double and honestly kind of ejection very early. We can also just gun the thing to the back and two putt make bogie and I did think to myself it was pretty windy for the first hour, one, two and three were playing super hard. So that I was think to myself it was pretty windy for the first hour, one, two, and three were playing super hard. So that, I was proud of myself there because like, I got out there and hit the shot. I didn't try and do anything. You know, I didn't try and make sure I wasn't short. I didn't try and make sure, you know, I was going to just make a bogie. I had a decent lie and I knew I could hit the shot and I trusted my touch, really settled me in just to the fact that I was I was keyed into like Like the awareness of what I was doing But yeah, that one was good the one on three was a joke though

That was my maybe one of my best swings. I've ever made out of the pine straw I know I miss the pup, but that was another one where I leaked that thing right where duff did and it's a auto bogey And you know, you're just kind of feeling like you're going backwards when you want to start with one foot forward. And that was crazy because I just hit like this high draw five-iron and it was stayed a little right, but I mean, it almost hit the cup. So that was pretty fun.

All right, how is this for synergy? Big congrats to Travis Matthew team member Max Homa on his first PGA Tour win at the Wells Fargo Championship this past weekend So the guys at Travis Matthew want to thank Max for making their gear look great on TV all day on Sunday And as a special thanks to all Max Homa fans Travis Matthew is offering 20% off at Travis Matthew dot com with promo code NLU 20 again That's 20% off your favorite Travis Matthew gear when you enter promo code NLU20. Again, that's 20% off your favorite Travis Matthew gear. When you enter promo code NLU20 at checkout, you might not be able to play like

Max, but at least with Travis Matthew, you can dress like him both on and off the course. Let's get back to our conversation with Max. Do you, this might be weird to ask, as this is obviously your first PGA tour win, but do you feel like that, that was the best golf you've ever played these last four days? Yeah, for sure. I thought about it the whole day. I was playing with Rory because he's so freaking good. I can't even explain it.

I was like, how the heck are you supposed to beat this guy four days? It's one thing to be somebody for a day. But for four whole days, it seems crazy. I told myself I was playing good and it was weird. I've done things better. I've driven it better than that for four days. I've hit my irons actually it better than that for four days. I've hit my irons actually considerably better

than that for four days. But as far as the short game, the wedging and the putter and the mental, it was as sharp as I could have been. There was only a few shots I would take back or would want to do over in general. I mean, making five bogies on that golf course in four days is pretty awesome. And I just think that it was more of a testament in general, I mean, making five bogies on that golf course in four days is pretty awesome.

And I just think that it was more of a testament to my game finally being fully well-rounded for a whole week rather than just feeling like I was, you know, completely blocking out in an area. Obviously, I put it pretty spectacular, but in general, it was just everything was like solid. There was nothing, there was no holes, I guess. So yeah, it did feel like the best overall golf, the proper golf as you guys like to say,

it wasn't just like one thing that was just clearing me obvious. So the win was one thing, but I think I was most proud of you calling Duff over to Mark on 17th grade. Hey, you know what dude? I thought about you guys. I want you guys to know that he gave me a two-side step and I stared at him and I'm like,

is he really going to make me have to tell him this because I don't want to look like a jerk up here and get called out. So I looked at him and I'm like, you got to mark that man. And he's like, okay. He might have looked at me like I was an idiot, but I was not being that guy. You got to mark that. Tron is going to be in my ass if you didn't get yelled at. Well, there's two other non-Golf shot related things we need to discuss.

One, the club tour off the 14th tee after laying up. Do you have anything to explain about that? Yeah, that was good. It's like one of those shots, it's not hard at all, but it feels kind of pressure feel because it's one of those that's easy to screw up, I guess. So I don't know. I do everything I did, I realized after I did, I was like, that's so corny, but it all just comes out.

It's weird. I was proud of that shot. So it just starts, starts to twirl and. And the one on 18 was the funniest one that just because Joe literally ran up behind me goes, are you freaking kidding me with that club twirl? Are you joking? And I'm like, dude, I don't know. I'm sorry, he goes, don't be sorry.

That's the coolest thing I've ever seen. You have the biggest balls I've ever seen. And I'm like, all right, cool. At least it looked decent. Oh, that one was badass. That was like, all right. First of all, you hit like 169 mile in our ball speed with a thing wood on that one. I think you might have had a little bit of adrenaline pumping there. And that was, you had clenched the tournament

at that point. That one was, when that happened, you had to know Twitter was gonna break a little bit. Even the CBS guys were going nuts. Yeah, that one was a little, little much. What's the, what's a reaction Ben like for you? You know, we've obviously been sharing a lot of. It's been wild. Honestly, a big thank you to you guys just for the platform you guys kind of have given me because it's crazy how much support, you know, I've gotten from just people yelling, you know, about the no laying up pod and just being able to have a connection with you guys. People love you guys so much and it's cool, but the reaction has been awesome.

I mean, my phone is absolutely exploded. I didn't realize I knew 500 people that alone 500 would text me. It's been, it's been wild. It's cool. It's just been great for, for kind of my whole family. I'm getting married in November. So that was a big help. Yeah, everybody's just kind of been on my side. I feel like I am a bit of a, I guess, an inspirational type story coming from a pretty

low and getting to win my first PJ Tour of Unboxing by beating people like Rory and that I don't think have obviously seen struggles in the similar light. And I don't know, man, it's been cool to have people resonate with me whether it's in golf or another sport or just a regular normal 9 to 5 job that they're trying to kind of climb their way up promotion wise. I don't know, it's been cool to have people really kind of get it. Because I think it engulfed a lot of the times where such a freaking white collar kind of snooty, snooty sport usually. And I think in this case, it's a little, it's a little different.

I feel like I came up a way more people could kind of understand. Well, I think it's just also just contributing you were willing to kind of be open about that stuff. And a lot of people aren't. And I think it's so relatable to people. Well, I think it's just also just contributing you were willing to kind of be open about that stuff and a lot of people aren't. I think it's so relatable to people. It's just the motivating factors in the things you said in the podcast in September and how you battled back. I was just flipping through your 2017 results. Do you know how many FedEx cut points you had on the PGA tour in 2017? Did I make it to five? You made three points. I got it all in Iverson, awesome. And just to like, you know, people had heard the story about, you know, what you went through in 2017,

how you battle back to get your card. And so they kind of had that in their, the back of their brains for you to watch. And you know, if people are just now learning the story, it just wouldn't mean as much as it's like, people had a rooting interest in. It's like you invest in something. Yeah, it's I mean, yeah, you kind of gave, I don't know, that people a reason to root for you way in advance of this. And I feel, I feel

like your Twitter, your Twitter following, I think almost doubled overnight, didn't not. Holy cow, that's been absolutely outrageous. That was a wild ride. I've been on just looking at that every, every few hours. But yeah, I guess in general. Yeah, it's just I guess people enjoy our rooting for somebody that they you know have a I don't know similar. I guess background to I think that Rory or you know some of these guys that are you know tiger. It's like it's hard to relate to somebody that's that freaking good at something. But when you see somebody have a struggle It's a little bit easier. I guess it you know to kind of jump on the bandwagon and, you know, I'm welcome to anybody want to be on in my corner.

And it was cool to be able to have this happen after a pretty, I mean, I would say it was a bad year. I know some people might say it was all right, but three FedEx cup points just think cutting it. Well, I know you kind of touched on this in your presser, but it was such a good little sound bite. You kind of talked about having gone through real pressure and that, you know, with related to your job security, how did that kind of compare to what you went through this past weekend? Yeah, that's actually what calmed me down the most. There's a difference between life pressure, job pressure,

and then just like hoping you win a million bucks. Like the downside to not winning a million bucks is you win like 700 grand. Joel Damon. Joel Damon text me the greatest thing in the entire world today. You know, we're pretty good friends out here in Scottsville, hang out with him and his wife, me and Lacey hang out with them quite often. And he texts me and I didn't really know what to say.

You know, he said, stuck around, give me a hug or whatever. And it's not that it was awkward, but you know, I obviously want him to get his too, but he texts me a picture of a beer and he said something like, hey, I'm glad you got the trophy, but I'm still rich as hell.

I'm like, yeah, I was like, you're right. And that's what I'm saying. That was the downside of his day. He didn't win, but he made like $850,000 and more than three FedEx cup points, which is so sick. And I don't know, that was the downside. Whereas the downside at Pumpkin Ridge for me was Q school. And the potential for having to start figuring out

what the heck I'm going to do with my life. And all of a sudden, I'm sitting here planning whether I'm going to get a hotel or a house to stay in for the PGA championship. And it's like that. It's a little different. You should stay on Neil's couch. Yeah, there you go. I can't stand it. It's a little different. You should stay on Neil's couch. Yeah, there you go.

I can't stand it off. I forgot he's out there. Yeah. Well, I know Greg Guttas, his partner in crime today is gonna be up there. So maybe we'll have to get the whole band together. Are you gonna hit Tiger up for another practice? Yeah, I am.

You guys set me up for that. I gotta give it a shot. I feel like I have a way better chance this time. Can you word it the same? Like, hey, just one well asgo, you up for practice right? Did he win the Wells Fargo when it was with Kovia? I think, I'm not sure. I know AK did.

Yeah. Oh hell yeah. Maybe he'll come out of retirement to play with the Prague strong with me. I'm taking on all anyone who is welcome to come play a practitioner with me. You should ask Tiger if you can stand privacy. Yeah. That would be pretty sick. I don't feel like that's going to happen. But I will take like even just like a whole where he says, Hey, man, I'd like to play through. And I be like, All right, can I watch you hit a shot? And then he says, Okay, and I'd be like, all right, sweet, successful

week. So people talk about about life changing after winning it. Do you feel like your life changed yesterday or does it work? Oh yeah. Yeah. Because Adam Long said did not agree. Just like in general, just this guy that everyone's like, oh man, Matt, good to see you, Matt, I like your Twitter.

And I'm like, all right, Max, and also, I'm trying to win this golf tournament. All of a sudden, I'm your Twitter and I'm like, alright, max. And also, I'm trying to win this golf tournament. All of a sudden, I'm walking around and people are walking mind, I'm like, oh, that's the leader. That's the leader. Look at that guy. Oh, yeah, he's hitting it good. I can hear these little things.

And then past that, it's just two years out here, guaranteed is something I hadn't even considered. I'm just trying to stick around for a whole season. I hadn't accomplished that and You know, I get to play in a couple no-cut tournaments, which is huge for my boy Randy's team Well, yeah, talk about the first thing you said when you called last night was shout out big Randy Fred ex cup Yeah, free points are good points. I Know Randy was pumped. I've been trying to rally the troops all

season. We have been kind of just like waiting in the water. DJ, you know, got off to a pretty hot start but gave us some to shoot for. So we've been having these big team meetings and I feel like everybody's been been geling pretty good. So I was happy I was able to kind of go out there and and lead the charge for a week and hopefully everybody can kind of keep keep the party going because I mean Our team is our team is good. We're stacked and we're we're a bunch of good guys. So Randy deserves this. You guys treat him so poorly on that strap show that Gosh, you just he deserves a W He voluntarily signs up for that. No, you guys are, you guys, the mega bonus

might be the most unfair game I've ever heard. That was their idea. That was their idea. All right, well, I think Eddie Bebrew said it best a couple weeks ago. I don't know. He said, God, like look at where Neil is at the top of his back swing. You have to be a complete clown to not be on tour,

being at the top of your back swing in that spot. Like it's just a car crash after that. Where did you fall out on the sanctions for what happened in episode two in Boston? Two, two balls is so mean. But did they deserve it? I didn't think so, but I kind of saw both sides. I like that you guys went with the two balls.

It was aggressive because I mean, Randy God bless him, but he poofs the ball. Neil, who obviously does not hit it straight, doesn't seem to care. He swings out of his shoes regardless. I'd be playing with like a six iron down those fairways. So it actually turned out to be great. I didn't know if they, they really deserved it.

But I mean, hey, you guys are in the content business. So you make good content. So 2007, yeah, Tiger one, walk, Ovi in 2007 at minus 13 with two shot lead. So you want it minus 15 with a three shot lead. So you got that on them now too. Yeah, you didn't just win. You won by three. Yeah, how about the last putt, man?

Was that just like, you kind of lagged the first one up there and then you kind of steady yourself and say, hey, I got to just buckle down and make this and do it in style? I mean, not really. Honestly, my caddy, my caddy, we walked up there and I was smiling. I actually had to go ask him to figure out how much of the leave we had because I saw the water lurking in the background. I didn't want to go full tiger at the masters and put it in there. So I was like, hey, how can I lay this thing up as far right and short as I can? He goes, well, I'm going to read this pup for you to make it and then you could do whatever you want. And I said, okay. And he read it. then of course I left it like 12 feet short. But he, before I hit it, I was kind of laugh him, but he walked over to me. He had told me at the

beginning of the weekend, 14 under wins, and we were at 15, he goes, hey, I know I said 14 under wins, but if you get one more, you know, I wouldn't mind if you clip me by one. And I did kind of want to go out and style, but at the same time, I time I mean I was I was going to take the W regardless and You know making it was cool because I don't know a bunch of emotion came out of me really quick and it was kind of cool that if that put doesn't go in I don't know if I feel it like that and it kind of just was a little bit more spontaneous and it really made me appreciate I think how Deep down how I felt about everything and

that accomplishment. It did make it a little bit sweeter. Did you notice the ducks waddling up next to you while you were hitting that putt? Who did? There's two ducks on the group. Oh yeah, somebody said that. I didn't even notice. What did you learn about yourself this past week?

That I think, you know, a lot of people at a high, at a college, sorry, were had to high hopes for me and obviously, you know, crashed and burned pretty good on those hopes. I hadn't really measured up to what I think I myself and some other people might have believed like the accolades

I had accumulated should add up to in your professional career. I lost a lot physically with my game for a while. Obviously, it's come back, you know, as of late, but what was cool today was, sorry, yesterday to know was that I didn't lose that mental edge I have. It was fun to battle Rory for a day and then go into the fun around in the final group, tied for the lead and feel like I actually was as mentally solid as I could have imagined. I felt like I want a golf tournament with my brain as much as my swing and my mechanics, which was cool because that's the stuff I remember doing well. I remember having leads and loving it. I remember buckling down and not being

afraid of the moment. And then all of a sudden you lose so much your golf game. don't have that even opportunity even close. I mean the best you got is maybe if you birdied the last seven you can only miss a cut by two which would be sweet at the time and now all of a sudden you know you're in the lead and I felt like I still had that that mental fortitude and the solidity that that went with it and it was cool being that calm man. I couldn't believe how how calm it was under under the gun. We did the most boss thing you can do too. You shot the low score. Yeah, did it out? Talk about that or something? Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I thought about that too. I was like dang that's that's actually kind of kind of awesome. What are you most excited about with it? The two years is there two and a half years of stability now the masters I mean what going to Hawaii yeah I think the two

years is the most glaring link one the masters is is the most just like what the heck you know like what the heck moment like how did how are we gonna do this like I it doesn't seem real, right? I mean I look at that place on TV and I'm like, oh, yeah, yeah That's just like this is the the tiger movie. I've watched you know five times now It's not like a real place of the par three contest is not like a real thing I've joked with Lacey since we met that she's gonna caddy from in the par three thing And I'm like sure sure whatever like you know

She's laughing, but I'm like when is that really gonna happen and all of a sudden you know I got to figure out you know a place to stay and and you know we already talked to somebody about going out there for a practice round early like in the fall and he's like what kind of freaking world am I in all of a sudden I mean this is I'm I'm over my skis how does your schedule and how does your outlook change in the near term? Like I know your goal at the beginning of the year was make the torch championship that's still in play. Yeah, I still want to make the torch championship. Honestly, I've always dealt in goals that were a little bit different. So my goal now is just to kind of keep put myself in contention because that is a hell of a lot of fun. It was a blast. The

winner lose, man, I kept telling myself this is so, so cool. I want to do this more. I looked at Joe while we were playing with Rory and you know they played, you know, there was a thousand, not thousand. That's usually an exaggeration for me, sorry, or hyperpally. There was 10,000 people out there and they're going nuts and I looked at Joe and I was like, dude, this is a lot of fun. Like I kind of get, I get it now, like why these guys, like, live for this, you know, I keep picturing in my head

but it's fun. People cheering you on, yelling your name, you actually tap in for Bogey and they clap. It's just a wild world that he lives in. So that's kind of my big goal. It's just to keep kind of being in this position because I think that I thrived under it. And regardless of if I would have just crashed and burned it was so much fun. It's like the greatest drug you could ever try.

How long after that final putt drop did it take you to think of Rudy? Oh, it was before, are you serious? It was before that. Every time I look at Joe, I'm like, you're not Rudy. Like what are you doing? So no thought to bring it back.

He didn't even ask me if I knew which club went the farthest. He didn't lose any towels, which was complete BS. He's trying to keep me in my rhythm and he's just being way too professional. I didn't help him put the bag on his back one time. It was a whole disaster. Somehow we won in spite of that. But yeah, I wish I had his phone number, I'm not sure. What he's doing, hopefully, hopefully somebody who goes to that Bahamas event this year could tell myself what up and that, you know, bags always open, sorry Joe. Will you play the BMW charity Pro Am?

Sarah Moniously, please? I would love to, that would be fun. You'll be the celeb. That would be so fun. I love that turn of man. I love that turn of man. There's nothing better. Do you guys have partners picked out yet?

We do, it's not officially yet, so we can't announce them. I mean, Randy may be making a Alastair Llanon. This is the last week, so Dallas, he's furious that you're not playing. I'm very glad you're taking this off this week. But Randy is leapfrogged me into the position. Oh boy. He's in he's in shouting distance. Oh, we have quite the situation brewing. Yeah. So that's good here. On playing with Rory, did you feel like the, like the crowd underdog or did you feel kind of a ground swell of support there?

Mostly underdog. I had literally some, the, some, you know, 20-some odd people called me Matt. And the one was I after warming up the last time before going out. So, walking back to the Vans, I'm obviously pretty nervous, I'm focused and it's raining, so there's not a ton of people around. And some guy had waited with his wife the whole time where we were warming up and I'm walking back out in the guy goes, let's go Joel And I look I didn't look at him but I kept walking and if I said out loud to him. I was like I was like I'm not Joel, but thank you And I hear his wife go you waited all that time to do that

And I was like all right, that's that's funny, but yeah, I felt like the underdog, but I did feel the support. I got freaking cool Cool, you know round of applause and sending ovation on 17 18 coming up and I think that people did Obviously you want Roy to win if you're there. I got it or Rosa or you know one of the big dogs But it was cool because I did feel like they They probably looked at themselves and thought who the hell is this kid? Well if we don't know who he is, we should probably probably clap for him because this must be something something decent. It was a tough weekend for Max's overall with maximum security getting getting de-cute

in the in the derby. So you kind of make it. Rough week Max months he hit a bomb though for the Dodger. So we kind of you know two out of three ain't bad but yeah I felt a lot of pressure. I have a deep appreciation for other maxes and I was a tough look for us so I felt like I kind of had to put the team on my back and kind of get get moving because I couldn't have us you know completely have a slander tarnish name. It's a pretty good, powerful name, but I would

rather not get remembered for a little, you know, dequeue action losing a bunch of rich people money. When are the Dodgers going to have you out to throw the first pitch? Do I? I mean, I would demand that that. You guys would be mind-reversed by God texas that I'm doing it. I just don't know what day yet. Okay. I ain't told anybody, but you guys can know. Yeah, it's gonna be pretty sweet. I'm already getting a little bit sweaty. You tweeted about it. So last question. Have you have you finally got sat down and watched Game of Thrones yet?

Or you just you can't even gotten that far? Oh, yeah. I have not, but Lacey and I are about to eat some food and watch the last episode. I already heard that it sucked, so I'm not super pumped, but I love the show nonetheless. So we got to at least get to watch it. It kind of sucked missing it last night, but I mean, it was a good trade. I mean, I can't really complain. You can't have the best of both worlds Yeah, it sucked is a very relative word

Last question on my end did the direct deposit hit yet no tomorrow, and you better believe I'm at least text you guys some exclamation points Lacey wants to know when she's gonna meet you. I think the answer is when we played the BMW Oh, Lacey wants to know when she's going to meet you. I think the answer is when we played the BMW web event. Exactly. I met Lacey last year after, or before Zach fired me as his caddy in Nashville. Wait, did she meet you? Yeah.

Did you meet, you might have met him in Nashville, he caddy for Zach Blair. You're actually right. Yeah, oh she goes, is this Tron? Well, that's the weirdest part is thinking about last year that that's like this same weekend, you were sitting through Rayn Delays and hanging out at that crappy course in Nashville. Yeah, that's the whole life.

Fijiator of that. That's a wild journey in just 12 months. Yeah, golf's crazy, man. It's crazy you can get a little hot and all of a sudden start to figure out how to play. Confidence goes a freaking far away and I've really found some. Obviously at the back end of last year and kind of started to roll with it. I think hopefully a lot of guys on the web, I got a ton of friends out there and I know some people have struggled a bit or at least felt like they're kind of floundering.

I think that everyone should be able to take at least a little bit of notice with this and know that your game, if you can play out there for extended period of time, your game's good enough to play with the big boys, you just got to kind of stick with it. And I don't know. I wouldn't say it's luck. You got to just be ready for the moment. You know, you got to be ready for when your game starts to feel like it's clicking because there's some people that have it, you know, most weeks and there's you know, I think the the majority of professional golf I think that you don't have it at all times. You know, you have to kind of piece it together, and you gotta be ready for when you do.

And I think that's kind of been, something I've been trying to prep for. I know I talked to you guys about that a few months ago. So hopefully, we can get more stories like this out because I mean, it's been damn fun for me. And I'm sure everybody else would like to see it happen a little bit more often. Well, I was gonna say on behalf of all of us here and the whole, I don't want to speak

for the whole listenership, but I think it's, I haven't seen a reaction as far as excitement like that in a long time. Not since Tiger wouldn't have mastered it. Well, thank you. I just have to tell you guys, I appreciate it. I appreciate the texting to you guys. It was so much fun this whole week. I know we'll keep doing it, but it was a blast. I love of you guys it was so much fun this whole week I know we'll keep doing it but it was a blast I love what you guys do and you guys did keep me keep me loose I was shocked to get a text

I'm not gonna lie from Toronto all people but hey I respect it the shirts or thing made me laugh all of a sudden I felt like it was like a whole movie type setting so that was that was new one for me but next time you got a nervous little little chip coming after a rain delay, you better believe on the text you said. I don't think you understand what we do. I don't think we get those opportunities. So I know that he gets a little nervous over the chip. So I know I can at least get a little little little needle in there. Well, I think at some point you're going to do commentary on wild world golf.. So you'll have your day, man. You're a day in court.

That's the goal. I can't wait. I'm going to have to start doing a little more research. I've only watched your guys' videos two or three times each. So I got to up the quota a little bit. All right, man. We'll go finish the rest of your celebration, enjoy your week off, and best of luck next week at the PGA Championship.

Alright, appreciate it guys, hope I talked to you guys soon. Thank you. Sounds good. Cheers. See ya. Get the right club. Be the right club today. That is better than most. How about him? That is better than most. How about him? That is better than most. Better than most.