PGA Tour star announces shock change before Presidents Cup

The big talking point of Thursday’s pairings is Jim Furyk’s decision to bench Max Homa.

Furyk insisted he is confident in Homa’s game and that the six-time tour winner will get his chance later in the week.

It’s after a ‘tough’ year for Homa, 33, who logged just one top 25 finish since the Wells Fargo Championship in May.

And ahead of a third Presidents Cup start, Homa has revealed he made a huge change to his team after the FedEx St Jude Championship last month.

Speaking at Royal Montreal, he said it was ‘time for a change’ in the coaching department – making his split with long-term assistant Mark Blackburn public.

“I’m unfortunately not working with Mark anymore,” he said.

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“It’s unfortunate, I love Mark. He’s basically a part of my family. He’s just been an amazing human being. And Pat has been a great coach and smart man.

“But at times, the communication gets hard. I think everyone in here has gone through that at some point.

“It’s one of those things, more for me, I need a break and sometimes I don’t do a great job of taking ownership of my own golf swing, so putting the ball in my court a bit, and trying to figure it out myself.

“I mean, as much as a coach can be brilliant, a genius like Mark, I know my golf swing better than anybody, and I can see it and feel it. Just trying to take some ownership like that.”

The pair had worked together for four years, first teaming up after Homa missed the cut at the 2020 US Open.

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Blackburn, a UK-born golf coach, also claimed tour wins with Davis Riley and Justin Rose.

Since going solo, Homa says he’s worked with a friend and caddie Joe Greiner.

“For the three or four weeks at home I did a bunch of setup changes, and just got to work through that,” Homa said.

“It’s tough when you have a week at home and you know you have get ready for a tournament because you can spend a day or two fiddling. Then you realize, I need to make sure I find a golf shot that works and grind that in.

“I have a buddy I’ve sent videos to, and we’ve chatted about my golf swing. Joe has taken a big role in checking ball positions and distance to the ball and things like that.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.