Brian Harman and Max Homa at the 2023 Ryder Cup. | Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
At the Sony Open in Hawaii, Brian Harman spoke at length about his Ryder Cup experience, including his relationship with Max Homa.
They could not be more opposite, yet they are two peas in a pod.
Brian Harman and Max Homa, the only two Americans to win a foursome match at the 2023 Ryder Cup, have become great friends thanks to their Saturday pairing.
On Saturday morning, Harman and Homa defeated Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka, 4 & 2—the first victory for Team USA in Rome. Later that day, Captain Zach Johnson rode with the hot hand, and the move paid off. Harman and Homa emerged victorious again, defeating Tommy Fleetwood and Nicolai Højgaard 2 & 1 in the afternoon.
“That Saturday that Max and I shared where we won two matches and had this really incredible day. We bonded—it felt like we made like eight years of memories in a day it felt like,” Harman said Tuesday when asked to share his favorite Ryder Cup memory.
“I’ll never forget that Saturday at the Ryder Cup. Obviously, I wish it would’ve turned out differently. I wish we won and wish we had two more days to play against them. [But] I feel like I found my partner in any of those things forever.”
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Brian Harman and Max Homa celebrate after winning their Saturday afternoon match at the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Whoever captains the American side at Bethpage Black in 2025 should take note.
Whether that is Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink, or someone else, the Team USA captain must pair Harman and Homa together again.
“He wants to beat you, beat you by a lot, and look good doing it,” Harman said of Homa.
“He is a total competitor, and for me, as a partner, you couldn’t ask for a better one.”
Homa led the way for Team USA with 3.5 points earned at Marco Simone. Harman earned two, as Patrick Cantlay was the only other American who won at least two points in Rome.
The Europeans trounced the Americans, but at least Harman has this lasting memory from an incredible second day with Homa.
“Max and I really started—I don’t want to say we started being friends because we were always friendly. I didn’t know Max that well. But we started getting pretty close over the last six to eight months,” Harman explained.
“Started just cutting up a whole lot. It happened organically. Just a really cool experience.”
Harman has risen to notoriety in the sporting world for winning last year’s Open Championship by six shots.
Photo by Ben Jared/PGA Tour
Brian Harman takes a drink out of the Claret Jug after being greeted by friends and family at St. Simons Island Airport in Georgia.
He dominated Royal Liverpool, relying on his driving accuracy and superb short game to navigate the harsh conditions en route to winning the Claret Jug.
He also finished in the top 10 on seven occasions throughout 2023 and qualified for the FedEx Cup.
Homa, meanwhile, recorded 13 top-10 finishes and 10th in the FedEx Cup standings. These two had plenty of time to bond throughout the season, as they often played the same events.
But nothing creates a strong bond like the Ryder Cup, even for two players of completely different backgrounds and personalities.
“Off the course, we probably couldn’t be more different people,” Harman joked.
“He is West Coast, University of Cal Berkeley. I’m a redneck from South Georgia. On the golf course, he’s a killer, and I love that mentality about him.”
Harman is a killer in his own right, too. Not only did he kill the hopes of all of the English fans at Royal Liverpool, but the former Georgia Bulldog loves to hunt, too.
Perhaps he will bring Homa out on one of his hunting trips in the future.
That would be an amazing sight to see. And knowing Homa’s infectious and comedic personality, he would probably have a great time—and have a great time telling you the story too.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
