Max Homa takes aim at ‘a**hole’ golf fans after quitting social media
Six-time PGA Tour winner, Max Homa, once one of golf’s most engaging and relatable personalities online, has taken a big step back from social media due to the overwhelming negativity he has faced.
Homa was a regular with over a million followers on platforms such as Instagram and X with amusing content for golf fans around the world, but he has admitted the hate he has had to endure has put an end to the content that many have enjoyed.
It’s been a tough season for the 34-year-old who’s struggled for form, having been ranked 5th in the world just two years ago.
And while social media can be a place where success is celebrated, it’s also a place where abuse and hate are all too common for athletes, especially when results aren’t going their way.
On the leading social-media platforms, he stated in a press conference ahead of the John Deere Classic: “It’s a safe haven for assholes, for lack of a better term. Sorry PGA Tour.”
“Twitter or X is an awful, awful place. It took me a while to catch onto how impactful that can be and how much of a waste of energy.
X, formerly Twitter, is becoming a hub for online hate with abuse often coming from anonymous users on the platform – the calls for greater regulation to prevent abuse in sport have never been more prevalent.
He added: “The reason for it is the vitriol you read online. It has become a safe haven for people who are angry themselves. It’s quite absurd how comfortable people feel writing awful things.
“I stepped away a lot from Instagram, but I feel like that’s been a bit less crazy, although still not great – so I take my breaks from that.”
Max Homa: “I miss the connection with the fans”
The Californian’s last PGA Tour win came at the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open, and consequently, Homa decided to switch to Cobra golf equipment at the start of the 2025 season.
However, no top 10s and seven missed cuts already this season have seen him plummet from 41st at the start of the season to 99th in the OWGR world rankings.
Homa has been renowned for sharing funny and relatable social media content, win or lose, that has made him a fan favourite with many rooting for a return to form.
But it seems that, unfortunately, form decides the reception that professional golfers receive when interacting online.
He continued: “I miss the connection with the fans, but nothing comes without just so much hate and anger. It has nothing to do with not contacting people. I would love to connect with people, but I’d love to do it in person.
The John Deere Classic in Illinois this weekend will be an opportunity for Homa to rediscover form ahead of The Open, an event where he made the top 1o in 2023.
TPC Deere Run is a par 71 course that favours low scoring, and with a weaker field than most Tour stops, it’s the perfect opportunity for Homa to record a positive weekend ahead of the final Major of the season.
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