Max Homa Explains Why He Chose ISCO Championship Over Early Open Preparation
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The Masters Max Homa USA on the 18th green during the 3rd round of the The Masters, Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, USA. 13/04/2024. Picture Fran Caffrey / Golffile.ie All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit Golffile Fran Caffrey Augusta Augusta National Georgia USA Copyright: xFranxCaffreyx *EDI*
Max Homa qualified for the British Open last Sunday. Nobody would have blamed him for skipping straight to Royal Birkdale. He showed up in Louisville instead, and a kid in a backyard reminded him exactly why.
Homa, who qualified for The Open Championship with a runner-up finish at the John Deere Classic, is competing at the 2026 ISCO Championship at Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky, July 9-12. He addressed his decision to stay in the field on Wednesday, per a PGA Tour post on X.
"I would be kicking myself if I left an event high and dry," Homa said, as per the press conference posted by PGA TOUR on X.
"I got to speak with a bunch of the people who put this event on and I've been reached out to by a lot of people who were very excited I was coming, so it would have felt not so good skipping."
The choice wasn't straightforward. Per the PGA Tour's X post, had Homa known he was in The Open before last week, he would have played the Genesis Scottish Open instead, the more natural preparation for Royal Birkdale, both in terms of course type and travel logistics.
He could have also flown overseas early. He did neither.
What changed his mind about the decision came on the fourth hole of his practice round on Tuesday.
"There was a kid standing off to the side in his backyard with a sign for me," Homa said. "It's just those things as you get older, you realize the impact maybe coming to an event can have both on the city and the fans but also on yourself."
Max Homa starts the week as the world No. 73 and the highest-ranked player in the ISCO Championship field. He is also 49th in the FedExCup standings.
The ISCO Championship offers 300 FedExCup points and a $4 million prize purse, giving Homa a great chance to improve his position before the FedExCup Playoffs.
His last win was at the 2023 RBC Heritage. Finishing runner-up at the John Deere Classic was his best result since the 2024 Masters.
Can Max Homa Balance ISCO Success With Open Championship Prep?
Jul 5, 2026; Silvis, Illinois, USA; Max Homa tees off on the 2nd hole during the final round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Jul 5, 2026; Silvis, Illinois, USA; Max Homa tees off on the 2nd hole during the final round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Homa signed up for the ISCO Championship weeks before he finished runner-up at the John Deere Classic. Homa has made four appearances at The Open Championship, with his best result being a tie for 10th in 2023.
Tournament director Justin Kristich said Homa's decision was "tremendous news" for the tournament and for the state of Kentucky, according to the ISCO Championship's pre-tournament announcement.
The Open Championship spot adds a layer. Homa described The Open as his favorite golf tournament in the world. Skipping the ISCO for extra preparation time was a genuine option. He turned it down.
"It would have been a real shame to turn down getting to come to Louisville," Homa said. "I wanted to keep playing. I love the city."
He arrives as the biggest name in a 144-player field that also includes Lucas Glover and emerging talents Miles Russell and Jackson Koivun. Royal Birkdale waits the week after.
Do you think Homa made the right call choosing Louisville over early Open preparation? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Koushik Biswas